LaVonne JoAnne McColley Copas, 87, of Salina, KS passed away September 12, 2019, with her family by her side. 

LaVonne was born September 17, 1931 in Winnebago County, Iowa.  She was the eldest of seven children born to James and Lorena Michaelsen  McColley.  She attended country school for three years and graduated from Titonka High School in 1949.

She married the love of her life, Billie Lee Copas, on June 30, 1950 at her parents’ home in Titonka, Iowa.  To this union were born five children – Cynthia Renee, Darla Lenee, Debrae Denee, James Joseph, and Mistie Jenee.

LaVonne and Bill moved to Kansas in 1952 and lived in several different Kansas towns.  No matter where they lived, she always got involved in her community. This included serving as a Sunday School Teacher, Girl Scout Leader and 4-H leader, and working the election board.  She was an avid sports enthusiast and a huge KU fan. She kept her mind sharp by completing word searches and crocheting baby blankets. 

LaVonne was employed in restaurant work most of her adult life.  She retired from being a cashier at seventy-two years of age after working fifty-five years in the restaurant business.  LaVonne was very proud of her family.  She loved holidays and family get-togethers.  Family and friends were her passion and delight. 

LaVonne had an unwavering faith in God.  She served as an organist and pianist for Calvary Baptist Church in Hoisington.  She was a Member of the Christ the Lord Community Church for over 25 years.  She often provided loving support for those in need.  Over the years she spent many hours sitting with family and friends in hospital waiting rooms or making home visits to comfort others. 

LaVonne will be missed everyday by her surviving family: her husband, Bill Copas, her five children and their spouses Cindy Boileau, Darla Saltzman, Debbie Copas, Jim Copas (Kristi), and Mistie Copas-Thomas (Steve); her granddaughters Cari Hollin (Trent), Sumer Whitaker, Alexis Scheibler and Kaci Copas; her grandsons Calvin Calp Jr., Bret Dunlap (Patti), Brian Miller (Lindsay), Taylor Copas (Kora), 18 great grandchildren and 14 great great grandchildren.    

She was preceded in death by her parents James and Lorena McColley, father and mother in law Jo and Gladys Copas, three sisters – Glenda Marshall, Janet Rowe, and Rogene Helms, two son in laws – Gary Saltzman and Steve Boileau, her grandson – Preston Scheibler, and two nephews – Tim and Tom Copas.

Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M., Wednesday, September 18, 2019 at the Bennington Bible Church, Bennington, KS.  Burial will be in the Bennington Cemetery.  The family will receive friends from 6:00 P.M. to 8:00 P.M. Tuesday at Wilson Family Funeral Home, Minneapolis.  Memorial donations may be sent to the Preston Scheibler Memorial Scholarship Fund, Victor Village Girls Home in Hutchinson, Kansas, or the Salina Rescue Mission and may be left in care of Wilson Family Funeral Home, 405 Argyle Avenue, Minneapolis, KS 67467.