Lake Linden: Milton Ira “Milt” Copley, Jr., 87, of Heritage Manor in Houghton, passed away on February 22, 2021, with family by his side. 

He was born in Big Bay on November 30, 1933, a son of Milton and Lena (Oberti) Copley. He was a graduate of L’Anse High School in 1951.  He served in the National Guard for 9 years.  He worked at a sawmill, and worked at Celotex for 37 ½ years. 

He was married to Genevieve “Gen” Copley until she passed away in 2003.  In 2005, he was married to JoAnne Copley, and she passed away in 2020. 

Milton never met a stranger and he could always make people laugh. He had a giant group of friends and cherished his Heritage Manor community. In his younger years, he enjoyed playing baseball and even tried out for the Boston Braves (1949). He also loved hunting, fishing and camping with his family. Music was a big part of his life and he was happiest when he was dancing with his friends. 

He was preceded in death by his parents, wives-Genevieve and JoAnne, and older sister-Elsie Maki. 

He is survived by: 3 children-Ronald Copley of Coldwater, MI, Roger (Susan) Copley of L’Anse, and Leann (Derek) Tenbusch of Durham, NC; 5 step-children- Debra “Deb” LaVergne of Chandler, AZ, Danny (Christina) LaVergne of Lake Linden, MI, Donald (Michelle) LaVergne of Hubbell, MI, Dean (Debi) LaVergne of Chandler, AZ, and David LaVergne of Phoenix, AZ; 4 grandchildren-Aaron Copley of Albuquerque, NM, Acacia Copley of L’Anse and Kaila Copley of New Blaine, AR, and Andrew Tenbusch of Durham, NC; 9 step-grandchildren-Nicole “Nikki”, Ann, Emily, Melissa, Lindsey, Kyle, Sarah, Ashlee, and Natalee; a sister-Jean Kangas of Canton, MI; his girlfriend-Carolyn Andrews; and several step-great-grandchildren and other relatives.     

The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, July 31, 2021, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in L'Anse with Rev. Corey J. Litzner to celebrate.  Burial will be in the L’Anse Evergreen Cemetery.  The Pearce Funeral Home in Lake Linden is in charge of arrangements. 

Memorials may be made to the Omega House in Houghton. 

 Online condolences may be left at pearcefuneralhome.com