Colleen Copeland KeKelis

Born on November 21st, 1946, in Forest City, Iowa to her loving parents, Herbert C. and Berniece E. (Thorsheim) Copeland, whom she cherished. In 1956, she moved with her parents and her very dear brothers, Gerald Dae Copeland and Michael Herbert Copeland, to Fort Myers, Florida. She graduated from Fort Myers Sr. High School with Honors in 1965. She married her high school sweetheart Gary Joseph KeKelis on December 19th, 1967, in Fort Myers, Florida at St. Michael’s Evangelical Lutheran Church, where they were both baptized and confirmed. She was blessed by the Lord to be given two beloved sons, Gary Jr. and Cole. She treasured them dearly. Her Dear Husband gave her the great privilege to be a full-time Homemaker and Stay-at-Home Mom. In April, 2001 she had the wonderful experience of graduating with her two sons from Florida State University with a Bachelor’s Degree with Honors in Anthropology. She considered her life a daily adventure with her Dear Family as they travelled the country to Virginia, California, and Massachusetts as her husband carved his career for them. Settling in Panama City, Florida to raise their children, Gary worked as a Research Physicist for the Naval Coastal Systems Center. Upon his retirement in December, 2010, she and Gary again went on adventures travelling the country in their RV.

She is predeceased by her parents and brother, Gerald. She is survived by her loved ones: Her Beloved Husband of 55 years, Gary, her two treasured sons and their dear wives, all of whom reside in Tallahassee, Florida: Gary Jr. (Keli) and Cole (Jennifer), and her precious granddaughter, Rebecca; her brother, Michael (Shelley); sister-in-law, Maureen; sister-in-law, Carolyn Coatoam; and her special nieces and nephews, their spouses and children.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Lutheran Bible Translators.