Ryan Patrick Copeland, Edgerton, WI (1982-2015)
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February 10, 1982 - November 23, 2015
Ryan Patrick Copeland, age 33, of Edgerton, was tragically taken from his family on Monday, Nov. 23, 2015, from injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Dane County. He was born on Feb. 10, 1982, in Janesville, the son of Allen and Laurie (Biely) Copeland. Ryan graduated from Craig High School in 2000, and joined the US Army in 2003. On Jan. 8, 2005 at First Lutheran Church in Janesville, Ryan married his high school sweetheart, Amanda Richter. Following their marriage, they moved to North Carolina, where Ryan successfully completed the intense training for the Green Berets in 2006. He was then stationed in the state of Washington, and from there he was deployed numerous times worldwide, including the Philippines and Afghanistan. Ryan served as a Weapons Sergeant and sniper with the US Army Special Forces. In 2012, Ryan decided to leave the military and move back to Wisconsin, to pursue a career in law enforcement. He graduated the following spring from Blackhawk Technical College's Law Enforcement Basic Recruit Academy. He accepted a position with the McFarland Police Department and became the department's first K-9 handler. Ryan and his partner, Boris, were like two peas in a pod.
Ryan was a very remarkable man who was proud of his job as a K-9 handler. He enjoyed giving presentations with Boris about what their jobs entailed. Ryan was a very loyal and loving husband, son, and brother. He was a friend, leader and mentor to many of his co-workers and his associates. He was also a very tenacious, talented and confident gentleman, who was a perfectionist at everything he did. He had a huge heart and a great sense of humor that will be missed by all who knew him. During his time off, Ryan enjoyed spending time on the golf course, hunting on his land in northern Wisconsin, with his cousins and family, but most importantly, he looked forward to quiet nights with his wife and their two dogs, Chloe and Boris.
Ryan is survived by his wife of over ten years. Amanda; his faithful K-9 and police partner, Boris; his parents: Laurie and Randy Meehan of Janesville, and Allen and Kathy Copeland of Rockton, IL; grandparents: Beverly Biely and Joe and Dee Meehan, all of Janesville; brothers: Jason (David) Copeland-Fincutter of Chicago, IL, Andrew (Victoria) Meehan of Appleton, WI, and Jeffrey Meehan of Chicago, IL; step-sister, Tammy (Steve) Schindler of Rockton, IL; step-brothers, Scott (Wendy) Demler of Machesney Park, IL, and Jeff Demler of Rockton, IL; his in-laws: Jane and Anthony DiNicola and Burdette Richter, all of Janesville; his brothers and sisters-in-law: Paul and Lindsay DiNicola of St. Petersburg, FL, and Katrina and Craig Richter of Monticello, WI. He is further survived by his aunts and uncles: Denise and Don Murphy, Tracy and Kim Howarth, Don and Lori Biely, Lisa Biely, Terry and Judy Copeland, Dan and Betty Copeland, Keith and Sharon Copeland, Dr. Steven and Kim Falk, Patricia Curran, June and Mike Burbach, and Phyllis Niffenegger. Cousins who were like brothers and sisters to Ryan: Bill and Emily Stewart, Greg and Becca Stewart, Adam Howarth, Aubrey Howarth, Joshua Biely, Ross Biely, Lisa and Brian Riley, Mike Copeland, Tina Johnson, Crystal Copeland, Dan Copeland, and Jeff and Tina Copeland; nieces and nephews: Meghan Demler, Jacob Demler, Savannah Schindler, Brooke Schindler and Bailey Demler; other relatives and many friends. Ryan was predeceased by his grandparents: Donald Biely, Edward Copeland, Darlene Knull, Ernest and Sarah Falk, Felix and Catherine DiNicola, Stanley Richter and Mary Neuenschwander; uncles, Thomas Biely and James Falk; and his aunt, Laronda Winters.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2015, at FIRST LUTHERAN CHURCH, 612 N. Randall Ave., Janesville, with Rev. James Melvin and Rev. Naomi Garber officiating. Burial with full Police and Military Honors will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. Visitation will be on Monday from 2 until 7 p.m. at the WHITCOMB - LYNCH FUNERAL HOME and again on Tuesday from 9 a.m. until the time of the service at the CHURCH.
In lieu of flowers, memorials would be greatly appreciated if they were made to: McFarland State Bank, 5990 US Hwy 51, McFarland, WI, 53558, in memory of Ryan Copeland.
A very grateful and heartfelt thank you to the McFarland Police Department, the Village of McFarland, other law enforcement departments, and public service agencies, many friends and friends that will never be known to us, for your prayers and support during this very difficult journey.
"YOU WILL ALWAYS BE OUR BAD ASS HERO!"
Whitcomb - Lynch Funeral Home & Cremation Services
21 S. Austin Road, Janesville, WI (608) 752-2444
www.whitcomb-lynch.com
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