Sandra Lee "Sandie" Copeland

1944 - 2025

Sandra "Sandie" Lee Copeland
Born: October 7, 1944 in Dixon, IL
Died: August 21, 2025 in Oregon, IL
Sandra "Sandie" Lee Copeland, age 80, of Dixon, IL passed away peacefully into the arms of Jesus at Oregon Living & Rehabilitation Center in Oregon, IL on Thursday, August 21, 2025. Sandie was born on October 7th, 1944 in Dixon, IL to Arnold and Helen (Kellar) Spangler, the oldest of five children. She was married to Don Stranberg for 13 years. On October 23, 1978, Sandie married Jesse Copeland in Kalamazoo, MI who preceded her in death on July 1, 2013. Sandie was a member of the Sauk Valley Community Church in Dixon, sang on the worship team, and was involved in many ministries including Grief Share in which she led.
Sandie graduated from Dixon High School in 1962, and then earned an AAS degree in Nursing from Sauk Valley community college. After marrying Jesse, the two moved to Pennsylvania in 1979. After moving there, she earned her BSN from Penn State University in 1991. She worked primarily in home-health positions in the beginning years of her career. Sometime in the 80s she entered the field of Oncology becoming an oncology nurse and oncology clinician where she would train other nurses how to administer chemotherapy.
In 1997, the Lord had called Sandie to quit her job. She waited a year before doing so. In 1998, her and Jesse bought a quilting machine and opened a machine quilting business called Petunia Patchwork in Huntingdon, PA. Between the two of them, they made well over 200 quilts. They are gracing the beds of family, friends and grandchildren everywhere.
In 2013, Sandie and Jesse felt called to move back to Dixon, IL to be closer to family and the grandchildren they adored. She is preceded in death by her parents; her stepmother, Judy Spangler; her beloved husband, Jesse; and her beloved daughter-in-law, Linda. She is survived by two brothers, Dennis Spangler and Jeff (Thelma) Spangler; two sisters, Debra Spangler and Kathy (Tom) Neir; one stepbrother, Tom Brevitt; two sons, Keith Stranberg and Richard Stranberg; grandchildren, Heather (Hunter) Wilkerson, Kelly (Andrew) Riess, Olivia Stranberg and Alek (Kadence) Stranberg; one great-grandchild, Carter Wilkerson; and several nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Visitation will be held from 10:00 am until the time of the Memorial Service at 11:00 am on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon, with Pastor Andy Minch, officiating. There will be a Luncheon to follow services at Sauk Valley Community Church in Dixon. Cremation Rites have been accorded.
Memorials may be directed to Sauk Valley Community Church in Dixon.
Arrangements were completed by Preston-Schilling Funeral Home in Dixon.
Condolences may be sent to www.prestonschilling.com.