Jerry G. Kopsa

Jerry Gene Kopsa was born on August 7, 1934, to Jerry and Julia (Svoboda) Kopsa on the family farm near Cuba, Kansas. He attended school in Cuba, where he graduated from Cuba High School, class of 1952. After graduation, he went to work at Hertlines Motor Company in Belleville. In 1954 he went to work for Warren McCracken at the Sinclair Gasoline Station.

Jerry enlisted in the Kansas National Guard in 1952. He served his country for 8 years before he was honorably discharged in October 1960 with the rank of Sergeant First Class. 

In 1955, at a Valentine’s Day Dance, he met the love of his life, Patricia Roberts. They were married on October 17, 1956, and to this union of 67 years, they were blessed with three children, Ann, Terry, and Dana.

In 1957, he went to work for Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in McPherson, Kansas. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in McPherson where he sang in the choir and was an active member of the Knights of Columbus and their many projects.

Jerry worked for 10 years in McPherson for Southwestern Bell before being transferred to Belleville, Kansas, where he retired after working 40 years.

Jerry was an active member of St. Edward Catholic Church, and served as the Deputy Grand Knight in the Knights of Columbus. He was an avid sportsman who loved the outdoors, hunting, fishing, and he took pride in his gardening. He also enjoyed camping with his family. He coached Terry’s baseball team during summers, and enjoyed tossing horseshoes. After retiring, he spent many hours in his garage shop, building many pieces of furniture for his children and grandchildren. Jerry was also a very active volunteer at the Republic County Historical Society Museum. Jerry was also a member of the Belleville Elks Lodge #2209 and the Concordia Moose Lodge #1428.

Jerry passed away at the Republic County Hospital in Belleville on November 27, 2023, at the age of 89 years, 3 months, and 20 days.

He is preceded in death by his parents, sister Melva Parrack, infant sister Doris Kopsa, brother Dennis Kopsa, son-in-law Darrel Bowell, and great grandson Jackson Wyatt Boling.

He is survived by his wife Pat, daughter Ann Bebermeyer and her husband Kalen of Belleville, daughter Dana Boling and her husband Steve of Salina, son Terry Kopsa of Belleville; eight grandchildren, Heather Webb and husband Ben of Edwardsville, IL; Heath Bowell and wife Jen of Olathe, KS; Dustyn Bebermeyer and wife Jenn of Kansas City, KS; Devyn Bebermeyer of Salina, KS; Dynae Conner and husband James of Oklahoma City; Brett Boling and wife Kel of Lawrence, KS; Tyler Boling and fiancé Carly of Salina, KS; Ross Boling and wife Checotah of Salina, KS; eight great grandchildren, Jaidyn, Raegan, Ashlyn, and Declan Webb; Addison and Rylie Bowell, Quincy Conner, and Grace Boling.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Saturday, December 2, 2023, at 10:00 a.m., at St. Edward Catholic Church in Belleville. Burial with Military Honors will follow at Belleville City Cemetery.

Visitation will be Friday, December 1st, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home. Rosary/Vigil Services will be held at 6:30 pm at the funeral home, and the family will greet friends following the Rosary.

Memorials are requested to the donor’s choice, and may be sent to Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home, PO Box 566, Belleville, Kansas, 66935.

Tibbetts-Fischer Funeral Home is assisting the Kopsa family with these arrangements, www.tibbettsfischerfuneralhome.com