Barbara R. "Barb" Copeland

Barbara R. "Barb" Copeland, 83, of Wapakoneta, passed away at 11:06 p.m., Thursday, July 15, 2021 at the Wapakoneta Manor.  She was born on December 30, 1937 in Lima, to John J. and Ruth M. Schurr Seitz who have preceded her in death.  On August 7, 1955, she married Merlin D. "Mert" Copeland, who passed away on September 17, 2016.

Survivors include her two children, Tom (Sandra L. Camlet) Copeland, of Jupiter, FL and Deb Copeland, of Oakwood Village, OH; two grandchildren, Tommy Copeland and Kris (Nicole) Eber; a great-grandson, Noah Eber; a sister Marilyn Taylor, of Dayton; a brother, Jack (Bobbi) Seitz, of Indianapolis, IN; two nieces, Richelle and Stephanie; two nephews, Jeff and Jim; four great-nieces and -nephews, Elise, Ethan, Evan, and Noah; three sister-in-laws, Charlotte Fisher, of Wapakoneta, Jackie Ostrom, of Virginia, and Karen Copeland, of Wapakoneta; and her extended Copeland family, including nieces and nephews, Kim, Tina, John, Lisa, Dan, Tammy, Duane, Danny, and Deanna; and several great-nieces and -nephews.

Barbara was preceded in death by her great-grandson, Penn Copeland.

Barb was a 1955 graduate of Blume High School and a lifelong member of St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Wapakoneta.  There she was volunteered with J.O.Y. and was a member of the church choir.  Barb was a sixty-year member of Ohio Child Conservation League and founded the local chapter, Guiding Mothers.  She worked in the Wapakoneta High School cafeteria and was secretary for the cafeteria office.  In the summer Barb could be found at the Wapak City Pool, where she worked in the office and concession stand.  She was also known for being a private and public swim instructor.  In her free time, Barb loved to work on her scrapbooks and in her garden.  While traveling to Florida, she would spend time collecting shells with Mert, who would then make elaborate shadow boxes for her arrangements.

A Memorial Service will begin at 12 noon, Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at St. Mark's Lutheran Church, Wapakoneta.  Pastor Doug Pretorius will officiate.  Friends may call from 11:00 a.m. until the time of services at the church.  Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mark's Lutheran Church.  The family has entrusted Schlosser Funeral Home & Cremation Services to handle the arrangements.