Obituary index

Robert Steven (Rob) Copeland

[September 30, 2017]  FAIRHOPE, AL - Robert Steven (Rob) Copeland, 59, of Fairhope, AL, formerly of Mount Pulaski, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2017 at home following a very courageous battle with cancer.

Celebration of Life:   Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the United Methodist Church in Mount Pulaski

Obituary

Robert Steven (Rob) Copeland, 59, of Fairhope, AL, formerly of Mount Pulaski, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2017 at home following a very courageous battle with cancer. He was born October 5, 1957 in Decatur, the son of Robert and Carole (Marshall) Copeland. He married Deborah Bruketa in Mount Pulaski, on August 23, 1981, they later divorced. Rob later married Brenda (Paulsen) Rippon on August 5, 1989 in Mount Pulaski.

Rob graduated from Mount Pulaski High School in 1975. He attended Lincoln Land Community College for two years and then attended Western Illinois University where he was a member of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. He graduated in 1979 with a Bachelor’s degree in Law Enforcement Administration. He was employed as a Lincoln Police Officer from 1979-1983. He then began his career as an Illinois State Police Trooper in October 1983. While working for the Illinois State Police he promoted through the ranks of Sergeant, Master Sergeant, and Lieutenant. Following his career in law enforcement Mr. Copeland began a career in real estate with ME Realty in Lincoln, before relocating to Fairhope, AL in 2001. Rob’s real estate career included working with Dauphin Realty, Ole Bay Management, and then went on to own and operate Rob Copeland Property Management for the past 10 years in Fairhope, AL.

Rob had a great love for music and was a very talented drummer and participated in the Mount Pulaski Clown and Vinegar Hill Brass Bands. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and rejoiced in their 2016 World Series Win! Rob also enjoyed watching Alabama football. He was a long time Mason associated with Lincoln Masonic Lodge 210.

Rob is survived by his wife Brenda of Fairhope, AL, daughters Abigail Ingram (Brian) of Lincoln, and Sara Copeland of Fairhope, AL, step-son Thomas “Ryan” Rippon of Loxley, AL, granddaughter Ava Copeland-Hill of Fairhope, AL, sisters Susan Kane (Jim) of Glenarm, Catherine “Cathy” Walcott (Kent) of Keizer, OR, and aunt Doris McKinley (Richard) of Decatur, as well several nieces and nephews, and a very special life-long friend Danny Ayers of Mount Pulaski. He was proceeded in death by his parents and brother William T. (Billy) Copeland.

Following Rob’s wishes the family will be having Celebrations of Life on Tuesday, September 26, 2017 from 4 – 6 p.m. at 7472 Parker Road, Fairhope, AL in the Ashurst & Niemeyer Real Estate office and Saturday, October 28, 2017 from 2-4 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall of the United Methodist Church in Mount Pulaski.

Memorials may be made to the family or to the cause of the donor’s choice.