White Funeral Home
400 First Street West
Independence, Iowa 50644

Independence – Phillip R. Copenhaver, 83 years old, of Independence, Iowa, died on Thursday, November 15, 2018, at his home.

He was born on September 1, 1935 in Buchanan County, Iowa, the son of Paul Kenneth (P.K.) and Myrtle Mildred (Motley) Copenhaver.  He graduated from high school in Stanley, Iowa, and then, earned a B.A. degree from Upper Iowa University in Fayette, Iowa, and a M.E. degree from the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming.  He served in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict.  On April 25, 1959, he and the former Beverly Ann Newton were married at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Fairbank, Iowa.  Mr. Copenhaver taught in the Business Department at the North Iowa Area Community College in Mason City, Iowa.  He retired in 1995.  In 2006, he returned to Independence and helped farm with his family.  He enjoyed being out of doors, which included hunting, trout fishing, and even mowing the grass.  His family was always important to him.

Mr. Copenhaver is survived by his wife of 59 years, Beverly, 2 sons, Alan R. (Maryann) Copenhaver of St. Louis, Missouri, and David L. Copenhaver of Frisco, Texas, and 2 grandsons, Ryan Copenhaver of Columbia, Missouri, and Michael Copenhaver of Boston, Massachusetts.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 1 brother, Paul Copenhaver, and 1 daughter-in-law, Beth Copenhaver.

Funeral Services will be held at 2 p.m. on Friday, November 23, 2018, at the White Funeral Home in Independence with Rev. Sue Ann Raymond officiating.  Burial will be in Mt. Hope Cemetery at a later date.  Friends may call for visitation from 5 p.m. until 8 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 21^st, at the funeral Home.