Orvile "Gene" Eugene Copeland, Sr of Granite City, IL died on Tuesday, September 19, 2023 at Gateway Regional Hospital in Granite City, IL.

He was born on July 28, 1946 in Granite City, IL to Orvile Claude Copeland and Lillie Kathryn (Malloy) Curtright.

Gene married Della Rose Leonard in Ft. Leonard Wood, MO on October 23, 1963.

The loving husband and father retired from the U.S. Army after 30 years of service.  He did 2 tours of duty in Vietnam.  He was a lifetime member of the VFW and he enjoyed fishing, camping, trains and playing games on the computer.

Besides his wife, Gene is survived by 3 daughters:  Tammy Wilkinson of Granite City, Melissa (Lenny) Young of Granite City and Katherine Copeland and her fiancé, Keith Volkmann of St. Charles, MO; 9 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren.

Gene is preceded in death by parents; a son, Orvile Copeland, Jr; a grandchild, Amanda Copeland; a brother, Harvey Copeland and a sister, Jeanette "Susie" Sechrest.

A Celebration of Life will be held by the family from 1:00 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 8, 2023 at the Granite City Eagles, 2558 Madison Ave in Granite City, IL.

Professional services entrusted to the care of Wojstrom Funeral Home & Crematory in Granite City, IL.

Online guestbook and obituary available at www.wojstrom.com