December 9, 1918 - March 4, 2010

 

      Atley “Larry” Copus was born December 9, 1918 in Soldiers Grove, WI to George and Ruby (Smith) Copus. He grew up attending high school in Gays Mills, WI.  In 1940 he married Emogene Heisz in Waukon, IA.  They were later divorced and then in June 1950 he married Connie Valdez in Los Angeles, CA.  Larry proudly served in the US Army during WWII with the 82^nd Airborne Division and was honorably discharged in 1947.  While living in Los Angeles he drove the city bus for over twenty years.  After moving back to Wisconsin he was employed by JC Penney and Parkside University in Racine.  He retired from Rudd Lighting in Racine at the age of 86 where he received the Southeastern Wisconsin Older Worker Certificate of Commendation.  In 2004 he moved to South Dakota to be near his daughter, Robin.  He had been a resident of Crystal Manor for the past four years. He was a member of the VFW, the American Legion and the Moose Lodge.

       He is survived by three daughters: Robin Brakke and husband, Dennis of Fulton, Dawn Anderson and husband, Buz of Milwaukee, WI, Judi Van Cleave and partner, Donald O’Holleran of Portland, OR, one son, Wayne Copus of IL, two sisters-in-law, Harriet and Loretta Copus, fourteen grandchildren, fifteen great-grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

       He was preceded in death by his wife, Connie, seven brothers: James, Glen, Sherman, Ashmen, John, Hank, Earl and three sisters: Leona, Jessie and Mabel.

 

Memorials may be directed to the Alzheimer’s Foundation

or the Veterans Memorial Fund in lieu of flowers.

 

Southern Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery
Thursday, March 11, 2010 ~ 2:00 PM
Union Grove, Wisconsin