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Obituaries/Viewings

LaVerne G. Copella | 65

May 3, 1955 - January 11, 2021

LaVerne G. Copella, 65, of 29 N. St. Marys Street, Apt. 2, passed away on Monday, January 11, 2021, at Penn Highlands Elk after a brief illness.

He was born, May 3, 1955, in Ridgway, son of the late Gerald Jerome and Mary Elizabeth Kline Copella.  He was a graduate of Ridgway High School and was a former employee of American Axle in St. Marys.  LaVerne enjoyed dirt-track racing, was the “supervisor” of all home improvement projects, and loved to spend time with his family.

LaVerne will be missed by his son, Gerald “Jerry” Copella and his wife Athena; his seven grandchildren: Marie Copella, Melanie Copella, Mileena Copella, Hali Butler, Savannah Butler, Makayla Butler, and Vincent Shufesky; and his four great-grandchildren.  He is also survived by his second wife, Janet Beise.

A funeral service will be held at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Friday, January 15, 2021, at 10:00 AM, with the Rev. Peter Augustine Pierjok, OSB, officiating.  Burial will follow in the Parklawn Memorial Gardens.

Visitation will be held at the Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home on Friday morning, from 9:00 AM until the time of service.

Events

Visitation

January 15
9:00 am
Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home

Funeral Service

January 15
10:00 am
Lynch-Radkowski Funeral Home

Final Resting Place

January 15
Parklawn Memorial Gardens

Tribute Wall

16 Comments

  1. So sorry for your loss.
    You all are in our thoughts and prayers.
    With Sincere Sympathy,
    Dean, Mary, & Ryan Hanes

  2. Our deepest condolences to the entire family. I will miss our Sunday morning visits at the Corner.

  3. Our thoughts and prayers are with LaVerne’s family. May you find strength, comfort, and peace knowing Jesus has His arms wrapped around you in your time of grief. R.I.P., LaVerne. (I, Marsha, was a classmate of LaVerne’s.)

  4. Say not in grief he is no more – but live in thankfulness that he was.”
    It is not length of life, but depth of life. May God bless you and your family,I hope you and your family can find peace in the memories that you have of him. May he now Rest In Peace in the arms of his-angels.
    He graduated with my sister Cheryl
    Thoughts and Prayers
    Daney and Norma Fields Family
    Debbie,Mark ,Cheryl,Mike and Jeannie

  5. I will miss seeing Vern. He always made my day. Quick with a joke and a smile.

  6. REST EASY MY FRIEND, MAY GOD BRING YOUR FAMILY PEACE. YOU LEFT US WAY TOO YOUNG, I DIDN’T GET TO SEE YOU MUCH, BUT OH WHEN I DID, WE WOULD LAUGH!! HEAVEN IS GETTING A GREAT ONE…

  7. So sorry for your loss. Thoughts and prayers to you and your family.

  8. It would be difficult to say something bad about Vern. He worked with my mom at amazing Ames and was always good to her. My condolences to your family.

  9. Hey Jerry
    So sorry to here about your Dad. He was such a pleasant natured man. I cut his hair and yours for many years until my stroke, at the Korner beauty salon in St Mary’s. If that helps you put a face to this condolence
    Love and Blessings
    Karen Glatt

  10. This kind, funny and gentle man will surely be missed!! God bless him and his family. Rest in peace my dear friend…

  11. Rest in peace Vern.

  12. This breaks my heart! Going to miss you! Prayers to you and you’re family Jerry!

  13. I will miss your smile and flattering jokes. We would bump into each other so often outside of work that we jokingly would say are you following me? And you would tell me you were keeping an eye on me cause somebody had to protect you, lol. Please continue to do so from above my friend. Rest in Peace.

  14. RIP Vern, you were an awesome friend, may not see each other often but when we did it was like we last spoke yesterday! Rest easy my friend.
    Tim and I will miss you.

  15. Vern was a great man to work with. Always had a smile on his face and would help u even if you didn’t need help. He will be missed.

  16. Sooo sad about this!! Vern was a great guy to work with, always had a good word for everyone. I would go out of my way to talk to him!!! Had a lot of his own problems, but always asked about yours!!! FLY HIGH LITTLE BUDDY!!! We will miss you!!!

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