Donna Jean Copeland (Burke)

CUYAHOGA FALLS - Donna Jean Copeland (Burke), age 74, passed away quietly on November 17, 2022, after a brief illness.

Donna was born August 19, 1948, in the family’s farmhouse in Tupper's Plains, Ohio, the second of four children born to Clyde and Gwen (Humphreys) Burke. Donna was a 1966 graduate of Garfield High School. She worked for the City of Akron for several years before making a name for herself as a realtor, getting her broker's license and managing an office for Sanders Home Realty. Throughout her adult life, she was a member of First United Methodist Church in Cuyahoga Falls.

Donna married the love of her life, William Copeland, on June 6, 1981. The two were each other’s lifelong companions and best friends.

After selling their home, Donna and her husband, Bill, boarded their sailboat, left Sandusky, and traveled through the Erie Canal to the east coast. They lived aboard for three and a half years spending their summers in Chesapeake Bay and their winters in Florida. She was an excellent storyteller and friends spent many hours being entertained while she told of adventures she had sailing.

Donna truly enjoyed cooking and entertaining friends and family. Everyone always looked forward to the holidays and special occasions when she was cooking. Her husband was the daily beneficiary of her chef-like talent. She especially loved her two dogs, Marmy and Boo Bear. They will miss her greatly. Donna was a beloved wife, mother, sister, grandmother, friend, and will be missed by all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Gwen and Clyde Burke; sister, Bonnie, and brother, Clyde, Jr.  Donna will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 41 years, William Copeland; daughter, Denise Craze; son, Ron (Janet) Craze; granddaughter, Regan Craze; grandson, Liam Craze; sister, Patti Hillyer; nieces, Jill (Maury) Sullivan and Kari (Jason) Lindesmith. Also remembering her are her stepchildren, Mark (Wendy) Copeland, Susan (Terry) Lilley, Carl (Lauren) Copeland, Sarah Copeland, and Sheryl (Craig) West; step-grandchildren, Mike and Dan Lilley, Aryn Copeland, Taylor Copeland, and Jordan, Brooke, Zachary, and Logan West.

Friends may call 5 PM to 8 PM Tuesday at Redmon Funeral Home, 3633 Darrow Road, Stow, OH 44224.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Donna’s name by mail to Falls Cancer Club , 3345 State Road, Box 3244, Cuyahoga Falls, OH 44223, or online at www.fallscancerclub.org