Paul W. Copley

THE FUNERAL SERVICE FOR PAUL IS GOING TO B LIVED STREAMED ON THE FRANKLIN EVANGELICAL FREE CHURCH YOU-TUBE PAGE.

Family suggests in lieu of flowers memorials be made to the Gideons in care of the funeral home.

Paul William Copley, 79, passed away on Sunday, January 28th, 2024, at the Arbor Care Center in Franklin, Nebraska surrounded by his family. The son of Christian and Audra (Wistrand) Copley, he was born on March 5, 1944, at the family farm south of Franklin, Nebraska. Paul attended Franklin Public school, graduating in 1962. He attended the University of NE-Lincoln where he graduated with a Masters in Agronomy. 

Paul was at Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado working on his PhD in Agromony when he met Cynthia Morrison who was attending college there also. On March 22, 1969, he and the love of his life Cynthia Joy Morrison were united in marriage at the Milwaukie Church of Christ in Milwaukie, Oregon. This union was blessed with two sons, Scott and Arlyn. From there they moved to St. Paul, Minnesota and he worked for Cenex. After working in the big city for a couple of years, they decided to move back to the family farm. He farmed full time from 1973 to 1995. Paul then began the next phase of his life working for the USPS as a rural mail carrier in Blue Hill, NE. 

He was a faithful member of the Evangelical Free Church of Franklin where he served in various capacities. He was also involved with Gideon’s International and traveled to various congregations to share the Gideon’s ministry. Paul’s love for his family and his passion for the farm was the mainstay of his life.

He is survived by his loving wife of nearly 55 years Cynthia J. Copley; sons Scott of Cedar Crest, New Mexico and Arlyn (Sheila) Copley of Denton, Nebraska; grandchildren: Paul David, Sam, Ben (Mary), Ava, and Elliot Copley; sister Jo Ann (Jim) Hossler, Franklin, Nebraska; brother James (Shirley) Copley. Sun City, Florida, several nieces, and nephews; other relatives and friends. Preceding him in death were his parents Chris and Audra, and sister Ruth Hostetler.

Visitation with the family will be Monday, February 5th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Evangelical Free Church in Franklin. Funeral services will be 11:00am Tuesday, February 6th, 2024, at the Church with Pastor Dextor Cogburn officiating. He will be laid to rest in Greenwood Cemetery, Franklin. Memorials are suggested to Gideon’s International. Hutchins funeral home, Franklin, Nebraska assisted the Copley family with these arrangements.