Ernestine “Ernie” Copelin, 81, of Lexington, Nebraska, died Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Plum Creek Healthcare Community in Lexington.

She was born September 4, 1935, in Ponca City, Oklahoma, to Floyd and Edith (Klopp) Wealand. Ernie was a 1953 graduate of Ponca City High School. She was united in marriage to John Copelin on March 26, 1956, in Newkirk, Oklahoma. Four children were blessed to this marriage; Larry, Kay, Gayla, and Jay.

The family moved to Dodge City , Kansas in 1963, where John with other partners opened a beef packing plant, he worked there for 20 years, eventually becoming head cattle buyer. In 1983, an opportunity came along to lease a livestock auction house in Blackwell, Oklahoma. In 1986, John became head cattle buyer for Cornland Dressed Beef in Lexington. Following the closure of Cornland, the family stayed in Lexington and started John Copelin & Associates. Ernie worked along-side John doing the books, and she also earned her Real Estate License.

Ernie was a woman of great faith. Her greatest desire was that everyone she met would have what she had, a personal relationship with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. She was a faithful member of Parkview Baptist Church.

Ernie was an avid reader, enjoyed doing crewel work, bowled on a bowling league, and gardening. She loved being outdoors, getting her hands dirty, and loving every minute of it. She had a special bond with her coffee girls, and her real estate associates. She will be very missed.

Survivors include her children; Larry Copelin of Cozad, Nebraska, Kay (Gerald) Krauleidis of Ponca City, Oklahoma, Gayla (Bill) Megason of Flower Mound, Texas, and Jay (Jill) Copelin of Newkirk, Oklhoma; one sister, Colleen Cherry of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; five grandchildren; Joel Megason and Matthew Megason both of Flower Mound, Texas, Kyle Copelin, Ty Copelin and fiance’ Kayla, and Allyson Copelin all of Newkirk, Oklahoma; one great-grandson, Kyson; she wishes to acknowledge her church family, as well as the staff at Plum Creek; also surviving are nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.

Ernie was preceded in death by her parents, and husband, John.

Funeral Services will be held Thursday, March 30, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. at Parkview Baptist Church with Pastor John Shields officiating. Burial will be in Fort McPherson National Cemetery that same afternoon at 2:00 p.m. at Maxwell, Nebraska. Reynolds-Love Funeral Home in Lexington is assisting the family with arrangements.