J. Craig "Copey" Copenhefer

A funeral service celebrating the life of J. Craig Copenhefer, 60, of Granville will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 6, 2011 at Centenary United Methodist Church, 102 E. Broadway, Granville with the Rev. Stephen J. Cramer officiating. Burial will follow at Maple Grove Cemetery in Granville.

After a courageous year long battle with pancreatic cancer, Craig died December 2, 2011. Craig was born Feb. 27, 1951 in Springfield, Ohio to the late Warren J. and Betty L. (Young) Copenhefer.

He was a 1970 graduate of Granville High School where he was a twelve-letter winner, earning four each in football, wrestling, and track. In football, he was All-County as a senior as well as Honorable Mention All-State. In wrestling, he was a district qualifier as a junior and senior, as well as County Champion at 132 pounds. In track, Craig was a district qualifier in the pole vault his senior year. After graduation, he enrolled at Denison University where he went on to star in football and track and study math and geology.

Craig had many interests that included square dancing, woodworking; especially building furniture, coaching girls' volleyball at both Granville and Northridge High Schools, and he was also a member of the Newark Maennerchor. Craig participated faithfully each year during Granville's Fourth of July Parade as one of the world famous "Abdomen".

Copey was one of those people who knew everyone and who everyone considered a friend. He was a devoted father and grandfather.

He was a carpenter with Compass Construction for over 25 years. He loved his job and the owners and his co-workers were like family to him.

He started most days before dawn and didn't rest till the moon and stars were shining; and that's where we believe he is now, at rest, with no pain, in heaven, where the moon and stars are shining. Listen... you can hear his laugh. Oh that laugh. Heaven will never be the same with him and Granville will never be the same without him.

Surviving are his wife, Sharon Sellitto Copenhefer; daughter and son-in-law, Tara and Corey Stare; granddaughters, Senni and Sari Stare; brothers and sisters-in-law, John T. (Stacy) Copenhefer and Doug (Edie) Copenhefer; sisters and brothers-in-law, Ann (Andy Klopfenstein) Tiffe, Jane Copenhefer, and Beth (Jeff) Molnar; and many other dear relatives and friends.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, December 5, 2011 in Shepherd Hall at Centenary United Methodist Church. To ensure family receipt, please express all online condolences at www.mcpeekhoekstra.com. where a memorial tribute may be viewed.

We would like to thank Copey's Hospice nurse, Janet, for all of her kindness and care. Memorial contributions made to Hospice of Central Ohio, P.O. Box 430, Newark, Ohio 43058 would be treasured.