Linda Copeland

Linda Ann (Ham) Copeland, 87, passed away peacefully on January 28, 2025 surrounded by her loving family. She was a wonderful wife, mother, and friend who will be greatly missed.

Linda was born in Marysville, Kansas on May 6, 1937, to Sylvester and Katie Ham. She grew up on the family farm north of Waterville. She attended the one-room school two miles north of the family farm and graduated from Marysville High School.

Linda met the love of her life, Edgar Root (Ed) Copeland, on a blind date when they were in high school. They married on June 20, 1954 and were married for 68 years until Ed’s death in 2022. They had four daughters and one son. Linda and Ed loved poodles and always considered their poodles as part of the family.

Linda was a licensed insurance agent and worked alongside Ed in the insurance business for over 50 years. She was a co-founder of the Riley State Bank when it reorganized in 1987 and served on its board. She was also a member of the Riley United Methodist Church and the Women’s Riley Neighborhood Club.

Linda is survived by her five children: Terri Bush (Marvin) of Allen, Kansas; Ginger Grissom (Dave) of Austin, Texas; Tammy Sharp (Tim) of Riley; Janice Norris (Kirk) of Riley; and Jay Copeland (Vonda) of Riley. She is also survived by nine grandchildren: Megan DiNova (Tyler), Rick Bush, Becky Chase (Kody), Bill Sharp (Rebekah), Jason Sharp, Kirstyn Norris, Kyndall Neal (Derek), Betsy Copeland, Charles Copeland; eleven great grandchildren; her sister Sharon Wacker; sister-in-law Charlee Smith; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Ed Copeland and her parents Sylvester and Katie Ham.

The family would like to extend their sincere thanks to Dr. Allison Haynes and the staff of Clay County Medical Center for their support and compassion over the past several months.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 pm on Sunday at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.

Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am, Monday, February 3, 2025, at the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home with Pastor Gerry Sharp officiating. Burial will be at 1:30 pm in the Riverside Cemetery in Waterville.

Memorials have been established for the Weaver Hotel & Waterville Opera House in care of the Waterville Preservation Society and the Clay County Hospital Foundation. Contributions may be left in care of the Anderes-Pfeifley Funeral Home.