Submitted by: Dan Rich

Marcel Coppens

Oct. 13, 1918 - Jan. 6, 2003

South Bend Tribune 1/10/2003

Mr. Marcel Coppens, 84, of Clearwater, Fla., formerly of Mishawaka, Ind., died following a lengthy illness on Monday, Jan. 6, in Bay Pines Veterans' Hospital in Bay Pines, Fla. He was born Oct. 13, 1918, in Hansbeke, Belgium, the son of Rene and Erma Coppens, and emigrated with his family to America in early childhood, settling in Mishawaka. His parents and a sister, Irene Goethals, preceded him in death.

On Oct. 20, 1938, Marcel married the former Loretta M. DeKeizer in St. Bavo Catholic Church in Mishawaka. She preceded him in death in 1991. He is survived by two daughters, Judith Huys of Middlebury, Ind., and Carol (Joseph) Mammolenti of Granger, Ind.; eight grandchildren, Kathleen Huys of Middlebury, Steve (Elena) Huys of Elkhart, Kristine (Brian) Maharg of Tennessee, Scott (Shawn) Huys of Goshen, Ind., Kim (Ed) Fuchs of Osceola, Ind., David (Denise) Mammolenti of North Carolina, Karen (Tim) Howard of Elkhart and Jennifer Mammolenti of Granger; and by 13 great-grandchildren.

Marcel served his country in the Army during World War II. He owned and operated the West Fifth Street Garage and Coppens Motor Sales for 25 years before retiring to Florida in 1972. His memberships included the Sacred Heart Church in Pinellas Park, Fla., American Legion Post 273 in Madiera Beach, Fla., Disabled American Veterans and the Catholic Order of Foresters. Marcel was a former member of St. Bavo Church. His favorite hobbies were fishing and watching NASCAR racing.

Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. today in the Thallemer-Goethals Funeral Home, 503 West Third St., Mishawaka, where a Rosary will be said at 6:30 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday in St. Bavo Catholic Church. Burial with military honors will follow at Fairview Cemetery. Memorials are suggested to St. Jude Shrine.