SCIPIO
Arvina L. Copeland, 69, of Scipio, died at 1:15 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 23, 2015, at her home after battling a long illness.
Born Dec. 10, 1945, in Indianapolis, she was the daughter of Lester Frank Bowling and Eula Jane Root Bowling, both of whom preceded her in death. She was married to Larry Copeland, who also preceded her in death.
She had lived in Jennings County since 1986 and was a member of The Kingdom Hall in North Vernon. She was involved in door-to-door ministry. She was a graduate of Clearspring High School.
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Arvina was always a woman on the go, known to her family and friends as a hard worker. She always had a project going. It was a rare day when she wasn’t doing some carpentry work, puttering around on mechanical repairs, working on a bit of remodeling or planting something. She had an innate love of anything exciting and was always willing to try new things, even when some might have thought she was “too old.” Some of her many experiences included Class 4 whitewater rafting, snorkeling with stingrays, bareback mule riding, traveling and her lifelong dream of walking part of the Appalachian Trail.
Arvina had an unshakable belief in God, and during her lifetime, she shared her love of God and the Bible with others through home Bible studies and later through ministry work at the women’s prison in Madison. In her later years, she developed a passion for animal rescue and was an avid supporter of the humane treatment of animals. Many animals were given a second chance at a happy, healthful life due to the generosity of Arvina and her late husband, Larry.
Survivors include three daughters, Odetta Wheeler of Scipio, Amber Jo Wheeler of South Bend and Patricia Wheeler of Wayne, New Jersey; five stepchildren, Curt Copeland, Deborah Cooley, James Copeland, Ed Copeland and Larry Dean Copeland; eight grandchildren, John Wayne Rieken, April Rieken, Jessica McVey, Daniel Baker, Joshua Wheeler, Casey Poppy, Gage Wheeler and Kylee Wheeler; eight great-grandchildren; and two brothers, Clyde Root of Ohio and Bill Bowling of Butlerville.
Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by two brothers, a sister, a grandson and a great-grandson.
A memorial service will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at The Kingdom Hall in North Vernon with Ron Haislup officiating.
Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. today at Johnson Funeral Home in Vallonia.
Burial will be at Vallonia Cemetery at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, Arvina wished that donations be made to Mercy Rescue and Adoption Inc., P.O. Box 537, North Vernon, IN 47265.
Online condolences may be made at johnsonfh.net.