Lulu Vivian Copenhaver passed away at the Piatt County Nursing Home in Monticello, Illinois on March 8, 2013. She was 100 years of age.
Lulu was born on May 17, 1912 in a farmhouse just east of Galesville, Illinois where her parents, Walter Eugene and Florence (Pryke) Copenhaver, operated a large farm for 50 Years. They preceded her in passing. After her father’s retirement from farming in 1957, she moved with him to a house in Galesville, where she lived and cared for her father until his death in 1987. She remained in Galesville until June 2002 when she moved to Tatman Village in Monticello. In September 2009, Lulu moved to the Maple Point Supportive Living facility in Monticello. In January 2013, after a brief hospital stay, Lulu moved to the Nursing Home
Lulu graduated from Mansfield High School in the Class of 1930. She never married but was very close to her three nephews. Lulu learned to play the piano as a youth and, later in life, taught piano lessons to numerous young people. Lulu was also a Girl Scout leader for many years and is a cancer survivor. During the 1960’s, Lulu worked at Oehmke’s Grocery Store on the Square in Monticello until it closed. She was a life-long member of the Galesville United Methodist Church (formerly Evangelical United Brethren) until it closed. Lulu attended the Church at Bethel just northwest of Galesville until she moved to Monticello in 2002. Lulu held several church positions and was a leader in Summer Bible School.
Lulu is survived by her sister, Atha Vera Tabor of Mt. Clemens, Michigan and three nephews: Robert Paul Tabor (and wife Emma) also of Mt. Clemens, Michigan; Rodney Steven Tabor ( and wife Sharon) of Emmett, Michigan; and Michael Eugene Tabor (and wife Candy) of Highlands Ranch, Colorado.
Lulu loved life and loved people in general. She was an upbeat individual and was always willing to lend a hand to any who needed it. She brought joy, companionship and comfort to those who were fortunate to know her.
Funeral services for Lulu will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, March 15, 2013 at the Mackey-Wright Funeral Home in Monticello with Pastor George Brady officiating. Viewing will be held one hour before the service. Interment will be in the Mansfield Cemetery immediately after the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Faith in Action of Monticello.
