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James 'Andrew' Dean
(1858-1943)

 

    

Andrew and Lovene Dean

James "Andrew" Dean was born in June 1858 in Wood County, OH, the son of James Harvey and Catherine (Van Horn) Dean.

At a  young age, he and his parents were pioneer settlers of Vigo County, Indiana.Much of our knowledge of Andrew's life has been provided by descendants Nelson Eddy and Karl Oberdorf.

When he was five, Andrew and his parents traveled to Vigo County on horseback. In his manuscript history, James H. Dean Family, Nelson writes:

...they spent the night in Irishman's bridge that crossed over Honey Creek in southern Vigo County due to the rain and cold of the night. The next day James went about 600 yards west along Honey Creek to the high bank and there he built a lean to shelter for his family. In December 1865 James, bought 40 Acres of land in Pierson Township (Section 33) there he moved his family into a log cabin where he raised.  He died between 1867/1869 when his son Andy was about eight or nine years old.

 

Andrew

Nelson adds: "Andy was his nick name and it was used always during his life time."

In his history, The Oberdorfs of America, Karl writes:

After Andy's father died Andy quit school and went to work in the area's many coal mines to help support his mother and his brother Clarence... Andy often told how he had to work in the coal mines to send his brother to school... When Andy's mother married again to James L. Dunn and they lived on "Old Cabin Hill" for a long time,... Andy always said when he was young he didn't know if he was a Dean or a Dunn. Andy always said that he knew that he had other brothers and sisters ... and every time he would ask his mother about them she would reply, never you mind about them you got your brother Clarence to play with.

 

Family portrait

On Sept. 27, 1878, in Sullivan County, IN, the 20-year-old Andrew married 22-year-old Lovena Jane "Lovene" Oberman (Aug. 4, 1856-1947). She was a native of Greene County, IN and the daughter of John Benjamin and Mary Margaret (Padgett) Overman.

The couple's five children were Charles Augustus Dean, Frank Burton Dean, Claude Burton Dean, Clara Sherrow and Golda Marie "Goldie" Copeland. 

When the federal census was taken in 1880, James, Lovina and their newborn son Charles made their home together on a farm in Pierson Township, Vigo County. The census taker wrote their last name as "Deen." That year, Lovene's widowed mother, Mary Overman, age 65, lived under their roof.

The family once posed for a studio photograph sitting. Sadly, the image is badly faded, and some of the children's faces are barely visible.

The Dean manuscript says that the family resided in many locations during their married life. Their last home was a half-mile west of Shady Grove Church, south of Terre Haute, Vigo County. The books adds:

Andy would often tell about the hard times that they had to go through in his young life. He had a garden and working in the coal mines would keep him busy most of the time to feed the family. He learned to keep up with his work because in those days past, one had to pull his own weight if they wanted to eat. Often the farmers of that day were restricted to the policy of "No work, No eat."

Andrew's mother and brother Clarence migrated to Oklahoma in the late 1890s as the newly formed state was opened for residential development. She often wrote letters to Andrew, which are preserved in the collection of a descendant. In 1901, one of her letters complained of the bad weather which was destroying crops:

April has been cold and backwoods have had a good deal of rain and snow in April causing the crops to bee so backward that the green lice and chinch bugs is kiling all the oats, people is plowing up their oats and planting to corn. Some had to plant thair corn over again, a great many potatoes roteded in the gorund. The green lice and clinch bugs down in texas is taking every thing before them, potatoes, corn and cotton.

 

Dean family portrait

 

 

Andrew and Lovene in later years

In 1900, the census shows that the Deans maintained their residence in Pierson Township, Vigo County. The census taker marked that Lovene was the mother of six children, but with only five alive at the time. Another of their children is believed to have died during the decade between 1900 and 1910, as the 1910 shows her as the mother of six, but with only four living.

Andrew and Lovene are seen here in old age, presumably on their farm near Terre Haute. As they aged, says Nelson's history:

... they seemed to go there own way and each would buy what they wanted to eat from the huckster wagon that would pass by their house and would never share it.  It has been said that Lovene would often go for hours on end and never speak a word to Andy, when she would get tired she would go to the closet and lay on the floor to sleep.

Their final home was considered rural Pimento, Vigo County.

Andrew was felled by a cerebral hemorrhage and kidney problems and passed away at home at the age of 84 on June 7, 1943. He was laid to rest in Mt. Olive Cemetery.

Widowed, Lovene moved to Terre Haute with her son Charles, residing at 711 14th Street. Later, she moved into the home of grandson Leslie Dean at 447 Gilbert Avenue.

Lovene at the end was burdened with hardening of the arteries and toxemia. She passed away at the age of 91 on Nov. 10, 1947. Her remains were laid to rest in Mt. Olive Cemetery beside her husband.

 

Bird's-eye view of Terre Haute of the early 1900s

 

 

Charles and Allie Dean

~ Son Charles Augustus Dean ~

Son Charles Augustus Dean (1879-1965) was born on Dec. 18, 1879.

On Jan. 17, 1904, when he was about 24 years of age, Charles was united in holy matrimony with 17-year-old Allie All (1887- ? ). The nuptials took place in Vigo County. Their marriage endured the ups and downs of a remarkable 52 years.

Together, the couple produced a family of these 11 known children -- Frederick Arthur Dean, Oliver "Leslie" Dean, Emma Ethel Dean, Hazel V. McAnally, Lawrence A. Dean, Anna L. Hendrickson, Mary F. Meyers, Charles L. Dean, Floyd N. Dean, Raymond Earl Dean and Nellie Evelyn Eddy. 

The censuses of 1910 through 1940 show the family residing next to or near the home of Charles' parents in Pierson Township, Vigo County.

In 1920, Allie's mother, 61-year-old widow Annie E. All, and 27-year-old married sister Clara M. Hazalette, lived under the Deans' roof.

 

Charles and Allie

Still in Pierson in 1930, when the federal census enumeration again was made, Charles earned a living as a day laborer in a local strip mine, as did his 23-year-old son Oliver.

The grip of the Great Depression forced Charles out of work. The 1940 U.S. Census shows the family remaining in Pierson, with him employed as a road worker with the Works Progress Administration. The WPA was one of the ways President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and the federal government tried to overcome unemployment and is widely considered one of the Roosevelt's largest and most ambitious undertakings of his "New Deal" to get the nation back on sound economic footing. Over the years, the WPA hired millions of out-of-work individuals to build public works projects, such as roads, bridges, retaining walls and buildings.

Later, Charles is believed to have returned to his longtime labor as a coal miner.

In an unusual twist, serving as Mayor of Terre Haute from 1942 to 1947, during an era of cleanup and revitalization in the city, was Charles' distant cousin, Major Vernon Ream McMillan of the family of Jehu and Mary Ann (Ream) McMillan.

Allie passed into the arms of the angels in 1956.

Charles' final home was in Terre Haute at the address of 1634 Second Avenue. After having been stricken by cerebral bleeding, death carried him away at the age of 85 on Dec. 3, 1965. His daughter Mrs. Nelson Eddy signed the official death certificate. The remains were placed into eternal sleep in Fletcher's Chapel, with Rev. Henry Karg preaching the funeral seremon.

Son Frederick "Arthur" Dean (1905- ? ) was born in about 1905. He wedded Eva G. (?) (1910- ? ). They made their home in Pierson Township, Vigo County in 1930, and had at least one son, Charles F. Dean. In 1965, Arthur is known to have lived in Pimento, IN.

  • Grandson, Charles F. Dean (1929- ? ) was born in 1929.

Son Oliver "Leslie" Dean (1907- ? ) was born in about 1907 in Indiana. A bachelor at the age of 23, he lived with his parents and worked as a strip mine laborer. His home in 1965 was in Terre Haute.

Daughter Emma Ethel Dean (1908-1923) was born on Feb. 7, 1908, most likely in Pierson, Vigo County, IN. Tragically, as a13-year-old schoolgirl, she developed a bone infection in her right femur, known as osteomyelitis. After a month of suffering, blood poisoning set in, which doctors called septicaemia. The remains were lowered into eternal repose in Fletcher Chapel Cemetery.

Daughter Hazel V. Dean (1912- ? ) was born in about 1912 in Pierson, Vigo County, IN. She was joined in wedlock with (?) McAnally ( ? - ? ). She dwelled in Farmersburg, IN in 1965.

Son Lawrence A. "Larry" Dean (1914-1997) was born on June 10, 1914 in Pierson, Vigo County, IN. He was twice-wed during his lifetime. He and his first wife (?) bore three sons -- Marvin Dean, James Dean and Robert Dean. When he was about 55 years of age, in 1959, he wedded again to Frances Marie (White) Haxton (March 10, 1917-1980). Her first marriage, with John Thomas Haxton Sr. ( ? -1958), had ended in 1958 in divorce followed by his suicide, leaving behind their son, John Thomas "Tom" Haxton Jr. the second marriage lasted for about 21 years until the separation of death. Grief cascaded upon the family when Frances succumbed to the angels on Christmas Eve 1980, at the age of 63, in Vigo County. Burial was in Roselawn Memorial Park in Terre Haute. Larry survived as a widower for 17 years and passed away in Terre He on Nov. 11, 1997.

  • Grandson Marvin Dean resided in Terre Haute in 1975.
  • Grandson James Dean was in Terre Haute in the mid-1970s.
  • Grandson Robert Dean was deployed to the Panama Canal Zone circa 1975.
  • Step-grandson John Thomas "Tom" Haxton Jr. (1936-1975) was born on Oct. 8, 1936 in Vigo County. He was twice married during his lifetime. His first bride was (?). Together, they produced three offspring, among them twins Michael Haxton and Patrick Haxton and daughter Mary Frances Haxton. After the marriage ended, his first wife appears to have moved to Oregon, while he made a home at 4324 North 17th Street in Terre Haute and worked as a laborer. His second bride was 21-year-old Karen Sue Schmaltz (Feb. 28, 1943-1998), an office worker and resident of Clay City, Clay County, IN. News of their marriage license was published in a May 1964 edition of the Terre Haute Tribune. The couple bore two more children of their own, Thomas Arthur Haxton and Kari Jo Haxton. As well, a stepson Ted Pomeroy was in the family in some way. They dwelled in rural Pimento, IN, and Tom made a living with Terre Haute Malleable Company. The family was plunged into mourning when Tom died in Union Hospital at the age of 38 on June 8, 1975. The body was lowered under the sod of Roselawn Memorial Park and an obituary published in the Tribune. Karen outlived her husband by 23 years. In June 1986, she bore the untimely death of her son Thomas at the age of 20. She surrendered to death at the age of 55 on July 26, 1998. Inscribed on her grave marker, in Sink Cemetery in Clay City, are the words "Precious Lord take my hand."

Great-grandson Michael Haxton was born in about 1957, a twin with his brother Patrick. He lived in Portland, OR in 1975.

Great-grandson Patrick Haxton was born in about 1957, a twin with his brother Michael. He resided circa 1975 in Portland, OR.

Great-granddaughter Mary Frances Haxton was born in about 1958. In the mid-1970s, she dwelled in Portland, OR.

Great-grandson Thomas Arthur Haxton (1965-1998) was born on Aug 5, 1965 in Terre Haute. He grew up in Terre Haute. Sadly, at the age of only 20, he died in Riley, Vigo County on June 5, 1986. He sleeps for all time in Sink Cemetery in Clay City, Clay County, IN.

Great-granddaughter Kari Jo Haxton (1971- ? ) was born in about 1971 and grew up in Terre Haute.

Step-great-grandson Ted Pomeroy made a home in 1975 in Terre Haute.

Daughter Anna L. "Annie" Dean (1915- ? ) was born in about 1915 in Pierson, Vigo County, IN. She wedded (?) Hendrickson ( ? - ? ). Annie dwelled in Terre Haute in the mid-1960s.

Daughter Mary F. Dean (1918- ? ) was born in about 1918 in Pierson, Vigo County, IN. She married (?) Meyers ( ? - ? ). Her home in 1965 was in Terre Haute.

Son Charles Leo Dean (1920-2010) was born on June 22, 1920 in Pierson, Vigo County, IN. In 1940, when he was age 19, he earned wages in Pierson providing shop work for the National Youth Administration, an agency of President Roosevelt's "New Deal" that created work and education opportunities for young American adults. Charles dwelled in Pimento and earned a living as a service manager in Terre Haute. He appears to have been married at least four times. His first wife was Frances Louise ( ? - ? ). The pair divorced in Terre Haute in about 1958. His second bride, circa December 1958, was 23-year-old Betty Louise Bennett ( ? - ? ). They lived in Seelyville, IN and became the parents of Darrell Wayne Dean. The couple separated shortly after the birth,, with Betty maintaining a home in Seelyville. She was awarded custody of her son, and a divorce, in Vigo County in March 1960. His third wife, later in 1960, was 37-year-old factory worker Betty Louise Harlan (1923- ? ).The couple divorced in 1961 in Vigo County, and the news was published in the Terre Haute Star. Then in 1968, he was united in wedlock with Pauline Rose (Brenton) Hoffman (1932-1999). He was a dozen years older than his second bride. She worked at the time in a factory in Terre Haute. Sadly, Pauline passed away on Jan. 9, 1999, in Terre Haute, at the age of 66. Charles survived his wife by 11-plus years. He died at the age of 89 on June 13, 2010. Burial was in Fletcher Cemetery in Terre Haute.

  • Grandson Darrell Wayne Dean (1959-1978) was born on July 14, 1959 in Vigo's Union Hopital. Tragedy struck when Darrell died on New Year's Day 1978 from injuries sustained in an automobile accident. He was only 18 years of age at the time. Burial was in Terre Haute's Fletcher Cemetery.

Son Floyd N. Dean (1922- ? ) was born in about 1922 in Pierson, Vigo County, IN.

Son Raymond "Earl" Dean (1927- ? ) was born in about 1927 in Pierson, Vigo County, IN. He migrated to the Pacific Northwest. In 1965, he is known to have been in Vancouver, WA.

Daughter Nellie Evelyn Dean (1929- ? ) was born in about 1929 in Pierson, Vigo County, IN. On March 18, 1951, she was united in the bonds of matrimony with Corp. Nelson R. Eddy ( ? - ? ), son of T.R. and Julia Eddy. Nellie was pictured in her wedding announcement in the Terre Haute Tribune.

 

~ Son Frank B. Dean ~

Son Frank B. Dean (1885- ? ) was born in 1885.

Nothing more is known at present.

 

~ Son Claude Burton Dean ~

Son Claude Burton Dean (1887-1961) was born on June 7, 1887. 

He resided with his parents at age 23 when the 1910 census was taken. He labored as a farmer that year.

When he was 26 years of age, in 1913, he was united in marriage with Rosella "Zella" Wilson (1884-1966). She had been married previously and brought these offspring to the union -- Effie Wade, Eva Jones, Irene McNeely, Austin Wilson and Mary Gilmore.

The second marriage resulted in another brood of five children -- Vernon "Wayne" Dean, Norma Hoseman, Maybelle Walls, Irmanelle Jones and Opal Shoupe.

 

City hall in Sullivan, IN

 

The federal census enumeration of 1920 shows the family in Curry Township, Sullivan County, IN, with Claude laboring as a miner. During the decade of the 1920s, they moved to Jackson Township, Sullivan County, where Claude found work as a top laborer in a coal mine.

They separated sometime by 1958, with Claude living at 460 Star Avenue in Sullivan and Zella in Carlisle, IN. Claude worked well into his 70s at the Tip Top Market, located at 312 South Section Street.

The family was plunged into mourning when, at the age of 73, Claude was stricken with a massive heart attack and died at work in the late morning of Jan. 8, 1961. An obituary was printed in the Terre Haute Star. He was survived by 14 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. His remains were lowered under the sod in Center Ridge Cemetery in Sullivan.

Zella outlived her spouse by five years, making her residence at 126 South McCammon Street, Sullivan. She died in St. Anthony Hospital at the age of 84 on April 11, 1966. Her obituary appeared in the Star. Her survivors were counted as 27 grandchildren and several great- and great-great grandchildren.

Son Vernon "Wayne" Dean (1917- ? ) was born in about 1917 and grew up in Sullivan County, IN. He lived in Sullivan, IN in 1958-1985. He was the father of Sharon Drake, William Dean, Rex A. Dean and Cladde A. Dean.

  • Granddaughter Sharon Dean grew up in Sullivan. On Dec. 30, 1956, she entered into marriage with Eddie Dake Drake ( ? - ? ), son of Forrest Drake of Fairbanks, IN. The nuptials were led by Rev. Earl Vaughn at the Sullivan Baptist Church.
  • Grandson William Dean joined the U.S. Armed Forces circa 1959 and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood.
  • Grandson Rex A. Dean was a 1970 graduate of Sullivan High School. A year after graduation, he was hired as assistant manager of the Red and White Supermarket in Sullivan, IN.
  • Grandson Cladde A. Dean joined the U.S. Armed Forces. In 1972, he was posted to Nuremberg, Germany, with an assignment at the 130th General Hospital.

Daughter Norma Dean (1921- ? ) was born in about 1921 in Sullivan County, IN. She was joined in matrimony with (?) Hoseman ( ? - ? ). The couple migrated to Berwyn, IL. By 1985, she had moved again to Terre Haute, Vigo County, IN.

Daughter Maybelle Dean (1924-1985) was born in about 1924. She wedded Dell E. Walls ( ? - ? ). One known son in this family was John Stanley Walls. The couple's address in 1953, at the birth of their son John, was at 625 South Mound Street in Muncie, IN. They divorced in about 1969. Mabel earned a living as an aide in private homes for the Area Agency on Aging. She dwelled circa 1976 in Muncie, IN and in 1985 in Berryville, AR. Her final address was at 615 Freeman Street, Berryville. She died at home at the age of 62 on Nov. 8, 1985. An obituary was printed in the Muncie Star Press, which reported that she "was the grandmother of four Muncie women." Her funeral service was held in the Church of the Nazarene in town, with interment in Rule Cemetery.

  • Grandson John Stanley Walls (1953- ? ) was born in March 1953 in Muncie, IN. His birth was announced in the Muncie Star Press.

Daughter Irmanelle Dean (1926-1958) was born on Sept. 13, 1926 in Indiana. She wedded Eugene "Casey" Jones ( ? - ? ). The pair lived in Carlisle, IN and together produced two daughters, Carol Jean Jones and Joyce Diane Jones. Tragedy was set upon the family in 1958. Irmanelle in her early 30s began to suffer an ulcer in her duodenum, part of the small intestine. When it ruptured, an infection of peritonitis set in. Within 24 hours, on Feb. 12, 1958, she was dead at the age of 31. The funeral was held in the family home and then at the Carlisle Christian Church, jointly led by Rev. Charles Railsback and Thomas Jones. Burial of the remains was in the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Cemetery in Carlisle. The Terre Haute Star printed an obituary.

  • Granddaughter Carol Jean Jones
  • Granddaughter Joyce Diane Jones

Daughter Opal Dean ( ? - ? ) was born in (?). She was united in wedlock with (?) Shoupe. They resided in Terre Haute.

Stepdaughter Effie Wade was in Sullivan, IN in 1958-1966.

Stepdaughter Eva Jones made her home in Detroit in 1958 and later for years in Sullivan, IN.

Stepdaughter Irene McNeely lived in Little Rock, AR and eventually in Sullivan, IN.

Stepdaughter Mary Gilmore relocated to Rockford, IL and then Tampa, FL. By 1966, she had married again to (?) McGill and moved to Indianapolis.

Stepson Austin Wilson established his residence by 1958 in Metaire and New Orleans, LA.

 

~ Daughter Clara (Dean) Sherrow ~

Daughter Clara F. Dean (1881-1961) was born on Sept. 12, 1881 in Indiana.

She married Edward "Tobe" Sherrow (June 15, 1881-1965), son of Reuben Sherrow.

The couple is not known to have reproduced.

Edward earned a living over the years as a coal miner.

Their home in 1941-1961 was in Farmersburg, Sullivan County, IN.

Sadly, Clara was diagnosed with breast and lung cancer. After a year of suffering, she passed away at the age of 79 on April 22, 1961. Rev. A.L. Tull presided over her funeral service. Burial was in West Lawn Cemetery in Farmersburg. An obituary in the Terre Haute Star named her surviving siblings as Mrs. Goldie Copeland of Hymera and Charles Dean of Terre Haute.

Edward outlived his wife by four years and may have remarried to Lusetta. He was burdened with emphysema, bronchitis and hardening of the arteries. He was felled by a heart attack, and death swept him away on March 5, 1965 at the age of 83. Lusetta Sherrow was the informant for the death certificate.

 

~ Daughter Golda Marie "Goldie" (Dean) Copeland ~

Daughter Golda Marie "Goldie" Dean (1896-1976) was born in 1896.

When both she and he were age 19, Goldie entered into marriage with Virgil L. Copeland Sr. (1894-1961).

Fourteen children were born into this family -- Maria Self, George Copeland, Viola Riggins, Gladys "Lucille" Johnston, Leonard Copeland, Frank Copeland, Betty Lou DeBoard, Bobby Lee Copeland, Frances Jewell Coleman, Mary Betz, Patricia Orr, Virgil Copeland Jr., Jerry Copeland and James Copeland.

Census records for 1930 list the family in Curry Township, Sullivan County, IN. Virgil earned a living at that time as a coal miner. The entry shows that Goldie had borne nine children within 15 years.

Again in 1940, when the census was made, the Copelands dwelled in Hymera, Sullivan County. By that time, with the nation in the grip of the Great Depression, Virgil worked as town marshal on the city's police force.

The Copelands were members of Shady Grove Community Church. Virgil went on to become a union cement mason. Among his projects was construction of the Breed Power Plant in Sullivan County in the 1950s. Claiming he was blocked from work at Breed, he filed a charge of unfair labor practice with the National Labor Relations Board, with a hearing held at the Federal Building in Terre Haute in 1959.

Sadly, Virgil passed into the arms of the agnels in Mary Sherman Hospital in Sullivan at the age of 66 on Aug. 20, 1961. His obituary was printed in the Terre Haute Tribune. Rev. Claude Walters preached the funeral sermon.

Circa 1965, at the death of her brother Charles, Goldie resided in Hymera, IN.

Toward the end, Goldie went to live in Meadow Manor North in Farmersburg. There, she succumbed to the spectre of death at the age of 80 on July 24, 1976. An obituary was published in the Terre Haute Tribune, which said she was survived by 39 grandchildren and 24 great-grandchildren. Her funeral was co-officiated by Rev. Marvin Miller and Rev. Claude Walters, with interment following in Westlawn Cemetery.

Daughter Maria Copeland (1915- ? ) was born in about 1915. She is believed to have wed (?) Self.

Son George Copeland (1917- ? ) was born in about 1917. At the age of 22, in 1940, he was employed by the National Youth Administration (NYA), a federal agency created as part of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "New Deal" to create work and education opportunities for young American adults.

 

Everett Riggins and Leonard Copeland both earned Purple Heart medals

Daughter Viola Copeland (1918-2003) was born on Aug. 18, 1918 in Farmersburg, Sullivan County, IN. She married James "Everett" Riggins Sr. (Oct. 23, 1921-2019), nicknamed "Buck," a native of Thorney, Madison County, AR, and the son of William Guy and Grace Florence (Dill) Riggins. Their family of children was comprised of James Riggins, Shirley Riggins and Donna Wright. During World War II, Everett served in the U.S. Marine Corps. He trained on the island of Pavuvu for the invasion of Okinawa. Then in June 1945, he was transferred to China for the disarmament of surrendering Japanese troops. He received a wound and received the Purple Heart medal. After his honorable discharge, he returned to Farmersburg, IN where they spent most if not all of the rest of their lives. Everett earned a living as a gasoline filling station operator and for more than half a century was a bus driver for the Northeast School Corporation. He was described as "a big, gentle, slow talking and slow motivated good man." For the last several years of her life, Viola resided in Millers Merry Mahor. Sadly, she passed away in Sullivan, Sullivan County at the age of 84 on May 5, 2003. She is buried with her daughter Shirley at Westlawn Cemetery in Farmersburg. Everett outlived his bride by 16 years. He appears to have married again to Nina Higgins (1932-2017) who brought two daughters to the union, Debbie Bosstick and Trudy Bartz. The spectre of death carried him into eternity at the age of 98 on Oct. 31, 2019. His remains were lowered under the sod of Westlawn Cemetery.

  • Grandson James Riggins ( ? - ? ) entered into marriage with Freda ( ? - ? ).
  • Granddaughter Shirley M. Riggins (1944-2007) was born on Jan. 18, 1944. Evidence suggests that she never married. Death swept her away on June 1, 2007.
  • Granddaughter Donna Riggins ( ? - ? ) married (?) Wright ( ? - ? ). She was deceased by 2019.

Daughter Gladys "Lucille" Copeland (1920-2003) was born on Sept. 30, 1920 in Hymera, Sullivan County, IN. At the age of 17, on June 16, 1938, she was united in matrimony with James D. Johnston (1917-2014), said to have been the son of James Willis and Rosa Belle (Hicks) Johnston of Suphur Springs, KY. Their nuptials were held in Sullivan County. Together, the couple bore a family of three -- Linda Engle, Anna Loveall and James E. Johnston. The family lived in Terre Haute. James earned a living for 36 years through employment with Wabash Fibre Box. In his free time, he liked to hunt deer and play bingo. At the age of 82, Lucille died in Terre Haute on April 10, 2003. Interment took place in Westlawn Cemetery in Farmersburg. James survived as a widower for another 11 years. Toward the end, he was admitted to Springhill Village. He passed away on Oct. 6, 2014, in Terre Haute, at the age of 97. He was survived by 10 grandchildren, 25 great-grandchildren and 27 great-great grandchildren. Rev. Larry Lilly preached the funeral sermon.

  • Granddaughter Linda Johnston married (?) Engle. Her home in 2014 was in Colorado Springs, CO.
  • Granddaughter Anna Johnston wedded Bud Loveall. The couple relocated to Colorado Springs.
  • Grandson James E. Johnston was joined in wedlock with Martha.

Son Leonard "Buzz" Copeland Sr. (1922-2003) was born on Aug. 24, 1922 in Sullivan County, IN. He grew up as a farmer in Sullivan County. He served as a sergeant in the U.S. Army during World War II and the Korean War. At one point he was wounded and captured in Korea as a prisoner of war. Later, he was awarded a Purple Heart medal. He was the father of Leonard Copeland Jr. and Terri Heaton. Leonard resided in Shelburn, IN in 1961. In time he moved to Farmersburg, IN. Leonard held a membership in the Hymera post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars. He died on June 10, 2003. Burial was in Dugger Cemetery, with funeral services led by Pastor Dan Dyer.

  • Granddaughter Terri Copeland married (?) Heaton. She resided in Dugger, IN in 2003.

Son Frank Copeland (1924- ? ) was born in about 1924. He lived circa 1961 in rural Shelburn, IN and by 1976 had relocated to Anderson, IN.

Daughter Betty Lou Copeland (1926- ? ) was born in about 1926. She married John DeBoard. She relocated to Oklahoma City and was there in the mid-1970s.

Son Robert "Bobby Lee" Copeland (1928-2017) was born on Sept. 11, 1928 in Sullivan County, IN. When he was 24 years of age, on Feb. 26, 1953, he was united in wedlock with Janice Carlin (1933-1995), daughter of Rachel Carlin of Connersville, Fayette County, IN. Four known children born to this union were Kenneth Wade Copeland, Christopher D. Copeland, Mrs. Glendon Smith and Pamela Copeland. They made a residence in the 1960s and 1970s in Connersville. Sadness enveloped the family when Janice, at age 62, passed away on Oct. 31, 1995. Burial was in Dale Cemetery in Connersville. Bobby outlived his bride by 22 years. He surrendered to the spirit of death at the age of 89 on Nov. 4, 2017.

  • Grandson Kenneth Wade Copeland Sr. (1958-1977) was born on Feb. 1, 1958 in Indiana. As a young man of 18, he served in the U.S. Armed Forces for three months, from Jan. 13, 1976 to April 15, 1976. Back home, he earned wages by working in the factory of National Metal. He married Connie Sue Drew ( ? - ? ). News of their marriage license was printed in the Richmond (IN) Palladium-Item. The couple put down roots in Connersville and together produced a son, Kenneth Wade Copeland Jr. Tragically, at the age of 19, Kenneth Sr. was stricken with a massive heart attack and succumbed to death in Connersville on July 19, 1977. Rev. John East led the funeral service. The remains were placed into eternal sleep in Laurel North Cemetery in Laurel, IN, and an obituary was printed in the Palladium-Item.
  • Grandson Christopher D. Copeland (1972-2019) was born on Feb. 4, 1972 in Connersville. He was a member of the 1990 graduating class of Connersville High School. He was the father of Logan Daley. Christopher spent his working career as a dairy manager with Cox's Supermarket and also worked for Containerkraft, Stant Manufacturing and Marsh Supermarket. In his free time he liked to attend Texas hold'em poker tournaments and follow NASCAR races, NCAA basketball tournaments and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati Reds and Kentucky Wildcats sports teams. On July 16, 2019, at the age of 47, he passed away in Connersville. Burial was in Dale Cemetery, following services conducted by Rev. Bill Fanigan Jr. of First Southern Baptist Church.
  • Granddaughter Yvonne Sue Copeland wedded Glendon Smith. Circa 1977-2019, they were in Connersville.
  • Granddaughter Pamela Copeland ( ? - ? ) grew up in Connersville. She was united in matrimony with Rodger Tomlin. The couple established a residence in Centerville, IN.

Daughter Frances Jewell Copeland (1930- ? ) was born in about 1930. She entered into marriage with Thomas Coleman and established a home in Lombard, IL. By 2005, Frances made her residence in Terre Haute.

Daughter Mary JoAnn Copeland (1932-1990) was born on Oct. 10, 1932. She dwelled in Shelburn, IN in young womanhood. On May 29, 1969, she wedded World War II Army veteran Arthur Charles Betz (Aug. 6, 1922-1992) and continued to make a home in Shelburn. The couple's four offspring were Wendell Lee Betz, Kelly Riddell, Lisa Fulford and Christopher Betz. Mary died at the age of 57 on June 4, 1990. Burial was in Westlawn Cemetery in Farmersburg. Arthur only survived his wife by two years. Death carried him away on June 6, 1992.

  • Grandson Wendell Lee Betz (1964-2006) was born two days after Christmas 1964 in Terre Haute. In young manhood he served in the U.S. Army. Wendell fathered a daughter, Lacy Betz. Grief enveloped the family when Wendell died in Terre Haute Regional Hospital at the age of 41 on Aug. 29, 2006. Rev. Norman Santus led the funeral service, with burial following in Westlawn Cemetery in Farmersburg, including military rites provided by the American Legion posts of Shelburn, Hymera and Sullivan.
  • Granddaughter Kelly Betz married (?) Riddell
  • Granddaughter Lisa Betz wedded (?) Fulford
  • Grandson Christopher Betz

Son Virgil "Junior" Copeland Jr. (1935- ? ) was born in about 1935. He was in Anderson, IN in 1961-1976 and Vevay, IN in 2005.

Son Jerry L. Copeland Sr. (1937-2005) was born on Jan. 8, 1937 in Farmersburg, IN. He was a 1955 graduate of Hymera High School and received a technical education at General Motors Skilled Trade School. On Jan. 28, 1956, in nuptials held in Bridgeton, Parke County, IN, he married Sandra Falls ( ? - ? ). Their union endured for 49 years until cleaved apart by death. Together, the pair produced three children -- Jerry L. Copeland Jr., Cynthia Jane Copeland and Barbara Jean Copeland. The family resided in Anderson, IN in 1961 and later in Montezuma and Pendleton, IN. For more than three decades, he was employed with General Motors' Delco-Remy Division in Anderson. In his free time he held a membership in the Madison lodge of the Masons. Upon retirement, the couple moved to Wyoming, settling in the town of Riverton. He passed into the arms of awaiting angels on May 14, 2005. The body was returned to Indiana for funeral services preached by Pastor Keith B. McIntyre and interment in Westlawn Cemetery.

  • Grandson Jerry L. Copeland Jr. wedded Sheryl. They were in Highland, MI in 2005.
  • Granddaughter Cynthia Jane Copeland relocated to Essex, MD.
  • Granddaughter Barbara Jean Copeland migrated to Virginia and circa 2005 was in Bluefield, VA.

Daughter Patricia Jo Copeland (1939- ? ) was born in about 1939. She was joined in wedlock with Robert Orr ( ? - ? ). They put down roots in Dayton/Kettering, OH. By 2005 she had relocated to Rogersville, TN.

Son James Copeland lived in Kokomo, IN.

 

Copyright © 2003, 2009, 2015, 2021 Mark A. Miner

Excerpts from Nelson Eddy's James H. Dean Family manuscript, and Karl Oberdorf's manuscript, The Oberdorfs in America, are used with permission.