Elvis Eugene “Heavy” Copeland
July 28th, 1935 - February 22nd, 2025
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Heavy's Obituary
Elvis Eugene “Heavy” Copeland, 89, passed away peacefully in the presence of his family on February 22, 2025, in St Joseph, MI.
Elvis was born in Lake City, Arkansas on July 28, 1935, to his mother Flora Copeland and father Sylvester. He moved to Bridgman, Michigan at the age of 17 where he worked for Ackerman’s Packing House until he was drafted into the Army. He spent 2 years at Fort Knox and returned back to Bridgman and married Gloria Pastrick. He retired from Pemco Die Cast after 40 years.
Elvis was a bowling enthusiast and was in a senior league up to the age of 88. He enjoyed golfing, a hobby he picked up in his late 60s and accomplished 3 holes in one. He enjoyed spending time fishing, playing card games, spending time with his loved ones, and cheering on the Detroit Lions, Tigers and the University of Michigan. He would prank everyone he could, if you received a tap on your shoulder when he was around, you’d find him standing at the opposite shoulder with a grin on his face, he was making his family laugh up through his last days.
Elvis was preceded in death by his mother, Flora; his father, Sylvester; his siblings, RD, Earl, Louise, Lillimae, Tooter, Mildred, and Deanie. His memories live on through Gloria Copeland, their daughters, Brenda Leonard and Lori (Ron) Hollarder; granddaughters, Shanyn (Steve) Day, Jody Leonard, and Kami (Bryce) Ponegalek, and great-grandchildren, Wesley and Elianha Burton.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Heritage Chapel and Cremation Services, 269-471-2700.
Elvis was born in Lake City, Arkansas on July 28, 1935, to his mother Flora Copeland and father Sylvester. He moved to Bridgman, Michigan at the age of 17 where he worked for Ackerman’s Packing House until he was drafted into the Army. He spent 2 years at Fort Knox and returned back to Bridgman and married Gloria Pastrick. He retired from Pemco Die Cast after 40 years.
Elvis was a bowling enthusiast and was in a senior league up to the age of 88. He enjoyed golfing, a hobby he picked up in his late 60s and accomplished 3 holes in one. He enjoyed spending time fishing, playing card games, spending time with his loved ones, and cheering on the Detroit Lions, Tigers and the University of Michigan. He would prank everyone he could, if you received a tap on your shoulder when he was around, you’d find him standing at the opposite shoulder with a grin on his face, he was making his family laugh up through his last days.
Elvis was preceded in death by his mother, Flora; his father, Sylvester; his siblings, RD, Earl, Louise, Lillimae, Tooter, Mildred, and Deanie. His memories live on through Gloria Copeland, their daughters, Brenda Leonard and Lori (Ron) Hollarder; granddaughters, Shanyn (Steve) Day, Jody Leonard, and Kami (Bryce) Ponegalek, and great-grandchildren, Wesley and Elianha Burton.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Heritage Chapel and Cremation Services, 269-471-2700.
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