Submitted by: Dan Rich
Aug. 12, 1922 - March 11, 1996
South Bend Tribune 3/13/1996
MISHAWAKA - Thelma E. Copeland, 73, of Birchwood Drive, died at noon Monday in St. Joseph's Medical Center, South Bend, after an illness. Mrs. Copeland was born Aug. 12, 1922, in Dowagiac and lived in South Bend most of her life.
On May 1, 1942, in South Bend, as Thelma E. Helmick, she married Robert Copeland. He survives with a daughter, Jackie Williamson of South Bend; and two grandchildren, Michelle Collins and Doug Williamson, both of South Bend. She was a member of Zion United Church of Christ, Order of Eastern Star St. Joseph Chapter 569, and Avalon Grotto Women's Auxiliary.
Services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday in Zion United Church of Christ. Burial will be in St. Joseph Valley Memorial Park, Granger. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in Welsheimer Funeral Home, 521 N. William St., where OES services will be at 7:30 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or Humanitarian Fund of Avalon Grotto.