Daniel C. Copeland

Daniel Conway Copeland went to his heavenly home on Monday, July 16, 2012. The son of Albert and Bertha (Roberson) Copeland, he was born December 21, 1923, in King City, Missouri. As a high school student, he accepted Jesus as his Savior on August 16, 1940. God blessed him with a full, rich voice, and while still a teenager he traveled and sang bass in the Myers Evangelistic Quartet until entering World War II in 1943.

From 1943 -1946, Dan served his country as a sergeant in the U.S. Army, in both the European and Pacific Theaters. A proud member of the 86th Blackhawk Infantry Division, he served in Germany until VE Day and was then deployed to the Pacific, where he was stationed on the Island of Luzon in the Philippines. He was awarded the Army Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Bronze Star for Meritorious Achievement.

Upon returning from the service he married Beulah Irene Boone on August 8, 1947. Dan graduated from Kletzing College in 1950, and received his Teacher’s License from Drake University in 1951. Beulah was the daughter of Rev. and Mrs. Edward Boone, and the Boone family was well known for their radio ministry on KRNT and WHO. Beulah and her sister, Beatrice, had co-founded Boone’s Book and Bible Store with their father in 1943, so it was expedient for their husbands to join the business. Dan was Assistant Manager until he became President and General Manager in 1988. After serving the Midwest for 50 years, the store was sold in 1993, and is now known as Wellspring Christian Resource Center.

Dan was active in Youth for Christ and sang in and directed choirs around the city for over 40 years. His love and knowledge of gospel music, along with his magnetic personality, inspired audiences; he was a highly sought after worship leader for numerous large state and national religious meetings. Dan also served as President of the Iowa Sunday School Convention for two years. He and Beulah were members of Grace Church in Des Moines.

Beulah, his loving wife of 64 years, preceded Dan in death by only 45 days. He was also preceded by his parents; two sisters, Ruth Lux and Ruby Neal; and brothers, Marvin, Albert Jr., Robert and Gene. Those remaining are his daughter, Cindy Cornwell (Jeff); two grandchildren whom he adored, Keith Daniel and Shannon Renae; and many nieces, nephews and friends.

His hobbies were gardening (he was known for his large tomatoes and beautiful raspberries), washing and polishing his car, and being a faithful Iowa Hawkeye fan. He enjoyed talking about his Lord to anyone who would listen, and was still sharing this Good News in his elder years. Dan’s big smile and cheery disposition will be greatly missed.

This past November, Dan and Beulah moved from The Shores of Pleasant Hill to Highview Hills in Lakeville, Minnesota. The family would like to thank the staff at Highview Hills and St. Croix Hospice for the compassionate and personal care he received while a resident there.

The family will receive friends from 9:00 to10:45 a.m. on Saturday morning, July 21, 2012, at Grace Church, 4200 East 25th Street in Des Moines, followed by an 11 a.m. celebration service at the church. Interment will be at Pine Hill Cemetery afterwards.

In lieu of flowers, it was Dan’s wish that any memorial contributions be made to the music department at Grace Church.

www.HamiltonsFuneralHome.com

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