Obituaries

June 20, 1920 to January 16, 2016

WINAMAC - Lifelong Winamac resident and retired businessman, Jay F. Kopkey, 95, of Winamac, passed away at 2:25 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 16, at Pulaski Memorial Hospital, Winamac.

He was born June 20, 1920 in Winamac to the late Frank J. and Maud Hunter Kopkey. He married Mary Lois Barringer on July 29, 1950 at the residence of Dale and Mary Combs with his father-in-law Rev. C.D. Barringer officiating. She survives.

Also surviving are:
Jackie (Jeff) Hadley, Winamac, Daughter
Vickie (Rex) Manikowski, Winamac, Daughter
Randie (Chris) Kopkey, Leesburg, Son
Brent Reutebuch, Grandson
Bradley (Tricia) Reutebuch, Grandson
Jarred (Cate) Kopkey, Grandson
Nicholas (Holly) Kopkey, Grandson
Drea Manikowski, Great Granddaughter
Broderick Reutebuch, Great Grandson
Skyler Kopkey, Great Granddaughter
Jay "Bubba" Kopkey, Great Grandson
Harper Kopkey, Great Granddaughter
Ellie Kopkey, Great Granddaughter
Emerson Kopkey, Great Granddaughter
Jerry Barringer, Brother-in-law
Carol Sue (Martin) Torgerson, Niece
Aspen Gundy, Great Niece
Bill (Megan) Torgerson, Great Nephew
Anne Torgerson, Great Niece

Preceded in death by: 
Henry H. "Hank" (Faye) Kopkey, Brother
Olga F. (Bill) Russell, Sister
Gordon Teel, Son-in-law
Kathy Barringer, Sister-in-law
Judy Russell Gundy, Niece

Mr. Kopkey graduated from Winamac High School in 1938. He served as a deputy sheriff under his father for the county sher'ffis office, and as a Seaman First Class in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II, before following his father into the real estate and insurance business in 1946. He owned and operated Kopkey Agency for many years before his retirement in 1999.

He was instrumental in forming the Pulaski County 4-H Horse and Pony Club and was a member of the Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce. He was also a member of the Winamac VFW Post #1728 and the American Legion Post #71. He was a lifelong member of the First Christian Church in Winamac where he also served many years on the church board. In 2008, he was awarded the H.J. Halleck Community Service Award. He was an outdoorsman, whose passion was horses. He enjoyed life on the river and at "Jay's 10 Acres". He especially enjoyed telling stories about the past and will be greatly missed by his family.

Visitation will be from 3 to 8 p.m., Wednesday, Jan. 20, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac; and one hour prior to services Thursday at the funeral home. The funeral service will be at 1 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 21, at the funeral home with Pastor Rick Abbott officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The American Legion and VFW will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations may be given to Winamac First Christian Church or Pulaski County 4H Horse and Pony Club.

Online condolences may be offered in the guestbook at www.frainmortuary.com.