Frank William Copenhaver, Jr.

Frank William Copenhaver, Jr., 96, died peacefully in Geisinger Jersey Shore Hospital on the afternoon of 30 Dec 2020 of Covid related complications.  He was taken to the hospital on 27 Dec 2020 and could not overcome the after effects of the virus at that point.  He was first taken by ambulance to the hospital on 18 Dec and was diagnosed with Covid.  He was released and returned to his daughter, Mary’s home under quarantine until 27 Dec. Frank was almost back to his old healthy self and ready for his son, Paul, to take him to his favorite restaurant for breakfast, when he had to return to the hospital.

Frank was the first born child of Frank Welsh Copenhaver and Verda Grace Steffen and the oldest of ten siblings of which three survive; Pat Duncan of Williamstown, NJ; James Copenhaver of Sawdust Lane, Caldwell, PA & Jean Flanigan of Avis, PA.

He was born in Yeagertown, PA on 9 Apr 1924 while his parents were living with his grandparents, Benjamin and Emma Martin Steffen.  His grandparents were Pennsylvania Dutch and he could still rattle off phrases from his Grandma Emma throughout his lifetime.

Frank married Anna Violet Whitesel on 6 Dec 1941 who predeceased him on 5 Jan 2012.  He was the father of seven children; Paul (Lavinia) Copenhaver and Betty Knarr of Kryder Hollow Road, Lock Haven, PA; Gayle (Daniel) Colucci, Yellville, Arkansas; Sandra (Stanley) Meredith of Church Road, Caldwell, PA; Mary Hunter with whom he lived, Woolrich, PA; Ruth (George) Lucas of Lock Haven, PA and Carol Royer of Schnecksville, PA.

He was the grandfather of 18, great-grandfather of 32 and great-great-grandfather of 12 and two on the way.

He was always known for his goofy heart and he will be missed by all who called him the “Cookie Monster” because of his love of cookies.

He was a long-term member of the Caldwell United Methodist Church in Caldwell, PA. He served on the Caldwell Gallagher Township School Board around the year 1955. During a time of school building transition, he fought to keep the students from the one room school house in the same grade when transferring to Woolrich.

Frank was a hard worker all his life and started his lumbering career working for his Uncle Roy Copenhaver and father, Frank in Juniata County, PA when he was fifteen.  He and his wife, Anna, moved to Wethem, Grughan Township, PA in 1945 and lived in Clinton County, PA all the rest of their lives. Finally buying property on Kryder Hollow Road, Lock Haven, PA in 1959.

Frank had various careers throughout his life.  He lumbered for his family, Copenhaver Lumber Company in Caldwell, PA, Stanley Whitesel Lumber Company [his wife’s uncle], Worked for the gas company drilling about 1951 in Caldwell, PA; Woolrich Woolen Mills in the card room, Worked with Harry Day trimming trees, Renninger Lumber Company in Mill Hall, PA; Barto Well Drilling, Copenhaver Well Drilling [after buying the rig from Barto], Joe Swope Sawmill, Saylor Lumber Company and helped his son, Paul run their junk business.

Frank was predeceased by six siblings, Robert, Kenneth (Decker), Dale (Jake), Glen (Skinner), Alan (Snug, Joe) and Janet Nyman Shade.

There will be no services held due to COVID-19. Burial will be at Rest Haven Memorial Park in Lock Haven. Helt Funeral Chapel in Mill Hall has charge of arrangements.

Memorial donations may be made to the Caldwell United Methodist Church, In Care of Carol Kaler, 494 Hollow Rd., Lock Haven, PA 17745 or the Clinton County S.P.C.A, 33 Mill Hall Rd., Lock Haven, PA 17745.