James Coppens

TRAVERSE CITY — James Coppens died Oct. 11, 2006, while undergoing surgery at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

He was born near the Sleeping Bear Dunes in Empire on March 5, 1935, to Gertrude and Soloman Coppens, He moved to Crystal River, Fla., in 1980 from Missouri.

Mr. Coppens attended Michigan Technological University of Engineering, the University of Michigan and Nova University, where he received a degree in business.

He spent many summers managing the Sleeping Bear dune rides while attending college. He dearly loved the dunes and grew up enjoying hunting and fishing in the area. His enjoyment of hunting and fishing never diminished.

He was a senior contracts manager for Duke Fluor Daniel, and retired in 2001 after 22 years of service. He was highly respected for his negotiating skills.

On Oct.. 1, 1966, he married Sue Ann Shimel, his soul mate and life companion, in Ann Arbor. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather. He always had a smile, a calming influence, and could solve any problem. He had a great sense of humor and was a great storyteller. He enjoyed any activity that included the family, and especially liked family cookouts and holidays. His granddaughter recently began playing football, and he derived much pleasure from watching her. He never missed a game or practice. He had a beautiful mind and was an avid reader; he wrote poetry for his own enjoyment.

He was a member of St. Benedict's Parish and St. Benedict's Men's Club.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a brother, Robert Coppens, and a sister, Dorothy Matus.

Survivors include his wife of 40 years, Sue Ann; two daughters, Marion Coppens of Crystal River, Fla., and Terri (Ron) Kurtz of Hernando, Fla.; one son, Tony Heitz of Crystal River; three grandchildren, Justin Heitz of Spring Hill, Conan Heitz of Moberly, Mo., and Karissa Heitz of Crystal River; a special grandson, Kylan Rhodes of Crystal River; a great-granddaughter, Lorilei Heitz of Moberle, Mo.; two sisters, Alice Diggins of Empire and Barbara (George) Vogel of Suttons Bay; one brother, John Coppens of Charlevoix; several nieces and nephews; and a step-granddaughter, Kayla Kurtz of New Smyrna Beach, Fla.

Visitation for family and friends will take place today, Oct. 19, from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at St. Philip Neri Catholic Church in Empire.

Graveside committal services will follow in Maple Grove Cemetery, Empire, near Mr. Coppens' beloved Sleeping Bear Dunes.

In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Mr. Coppens may be directed to the American Heart Association or the American Lung Association.

The family is being served by Reynolds-Jonkhoff Funeral Home, Traverse City; www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

This obituary was originally published in the Record-Eagle.