Jay F. Kopkey
Lifelong Winamac resident and retired businessman Jay F. Kopkey died Saturday, Jan. 16, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital at the age of 95.
Jay was born on June 20, 1920, in Winamac, to the late Frank J. and Maud (Hunter) Kopkey. Jay graduated from Winamac High School in 1938. He married Mary Lois Barringer on July 29, 1950, at the residence of Dale and Mary Combs with his father-in-law Rev. C.D. Barringer officiating. Mary Lois survives.
Jay served as a deputy sheriff for the Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department and as a Seaman First Class in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II before following his father into the real estate and insurance business in 1946. He owned and operated Kopkey Agency for many years before his retirement in 1999.
He was instrumental in forming the Pulaski County 4-H Horse and Pony Club and was a member of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce. Jay was also a member of the Winamac VFW Post #1728 and the American Legion Post #71. He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Winamac where he also served many years on the church board.
In 2008, Jay was awarded the prestigious H.J. Halleck Community Service Award.
Jay was an outdoorsman whose passion was horses. He enjoyed life on the river and at “Jay’s 10 Acres.” He especially enjoyed telling stories about the past and will be greatly missed by his family.
Survivors include his wife Mary Lois (Barringer) Kopkey of Winamac; daughters: Jackie [Jeff] Hadley of Winamac, and Vickie [Rex] Manikowski of Winamac; son Randie [Chris] Kopkey of Leesburg; grandsons: Brent Reutebuch, Bradley [Tricia] Reutebuch, Jarred [Cate] Kopkey, and Nicholas [Holly] Kopkey; great-granddaughters: Drea Manikowski, Skyler Kopkey, Harper Kopkey, Ellie Kopkey and Emerson Kopkey; great-grandsons: Broderick Reutebuch and Jay “Bubba” Kopkey; brother-in-law Jerry Barringer; niece Carol Sue [Martin] Torgerson; great-nieces: Aspen Gundy and Anne Torgerson; and great-nephew Bill [Megan] Torgerson.
He was preceded in death by his parents Frank J. and Maud (Hunter) Kopkey; brother Henry H. “Hank” [Faye] Kopkey; sister Olga F. [Bill] Russell; son-in-law Gordon Teel; sister-in-law Kathy Barringer; and niece Judy Russell Gundy.
Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, and one hour prior to services Thursday at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 21, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac, with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will take place in McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.
Memorial contributions may be given to Winamac First Christian Church or Pulaski County 4-H Horse and Pony Club.
Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.
(Pulaski County Journal — Jan. 20, 2016)