Jimmie “Jim” David Coplea, 80, of Gilman passed away on Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at Riverside Medical Center in Kankakee. He was born on July 29, 1945 in Saline, Michigan, a son of Melvin Leo and Rosella (Vermette) Coplea. They preceded him in death along with two brothers, Leo Coplea and Gene Coplea.
Jim married Mary K. Kuipers on September 18, 1965 in Gilman.
Jim is survived by his wife of 60 years, Mary K. Coplea of Gilman; three daughters, Laura (Bill) Clark of Gilman, Deborah (Bill) Janssen of Milford, and Patricia (Gary) Peters of Ashkum; eight grandchildren, Jake Giroux, Kyle (Bailey) Clark, Kari (Kyle) Fisher, Will (Kiera) Clark, Brandon (Elizabeth) Peters, Joe Bernard, Josh Bernard, and Olivia Beatty; three great-grandchildren; and one sister, Sharon Credille of Chatham, Illinois.
Jim was a member of Immaculate Conception/ Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Gilman. Jim worked for General Foods in Kankakee for 33 years and worked at K&H Truck Plaza. He was a former president of the Gilman Jaycees. Jim started and coached the first Gilman girls’ softball team. He was a member of the Iroquois County Sheriff’s Auxiliary Department and helped with the Civil Defense. Jim loved animals of all kinds and his time spent gardening. He enjoyed playing fast pitch softball around the area. Jim was an avid Chicago Cubs and Bears fan, but most of all he loved supporting his grandchildren in all their sporting events and activities.
Visitation will be on Tuesday, October 21, 2025 from 9:00 a.m. until the 11:00 a.m. funeral mass all at the Immaculate Conception/ Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Gilman with Rev. Fr. Michael Powell. Burial will follow in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Gilman.
Arrangements are by the Knapp-Redenius Funeral Home in Gilman.
Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.
Please share a memory of Jim at www.knappfuneralhomes.com.