Ralph Coopman

1935 - 2025

Ralph Laverne Coopman, 89, of Lafayette, passed away on April 2, 2025 at IU Health Arnett Hospital. He was born on December 22, 1935 in Linden, Indiana to the late Harold and Izora (Brannigan) Coopman. Ralph was a 1954 graduate of Clarks Hill High School. He then enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, and served for seven years, touring Korea, Hawaii, Germany, and Japan, among other locations. On May 16, 1959, Ralph was married to Virginia Ann Snell at Clarks Hill Methodist Church, and she survives. Ralph had worked as a Tube Mill Operator at Alcoa for 36 years before retiring, and also delivered newspapers and helped with equipment maintenance for the Journal & Courier. In his free time, Ralph enjoyed eating ice cream, playing with model trains, completing puzzles, and gardening. He was also an avid fan of the Purdue Boilermakers, Chicago Cubs, and Indianapolis Colts. In addition to his wife, Virginia Ann Coopman, Ralph is survived by his children, Lori (Gary) Smith, Carla Coopman, and Bruce (Melissa) Coopman; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jessica, Tad, Nathaniel, Joshua, Danielle, Alec, Bridgette, Katelyn, Garrett, Dylan, Brandon, and Wesley; great grandchildren, Miranda, Hope, Joseph, Lilly, Jonathan, Killian, Davis, Wesley, Coralei, Kai, McKenna, Aili, Dallas, and Indy; and great-great grandchild, Romen. Ralph is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Cheryl Sears; Son, Kevin Coopman; grandchildren, Erin Coopman, Ava Sears, and Travis Lange; and great-great grandchildren, Alexander and Crystallyn Walker. Visitation will be held at Colfax Christian Church on Friday, April 4th from 12-1, followed by a funeral service with Pastor Mike Hawthorne officiating. Ralph will then be laid to rest at Clarks Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that Memorial Contributions be made to The Michael J. Fox Parkinson's Foundation. Please share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralservice.com To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ralph, please visit our floral store.