Richard Emmett Copp

Richard Emmett Copp, age 90, passed away peacefully at his residence on Monday December 22nd, 2025.

Born on June 6th, 1935 in Lawrence County, Illinois.  Rich graduated from Lawrenceville high school in Lawrenceville, Illinois in 1954; while there, he met his future wife and love of his life, Barbara Jean Gregory. The couple was married on August 19th 1956. 

Shortly thereafter, he was drafted into the army & did his basic training at Fort Hood, Texas in late March thru mid September 1958. He was there at the same time as Elvis Presley and was stationed in Germany (in peacetime) from October 1958 thru March 1960. His army duties included driving semi trailer trucks which contained the tanks for the soldiers (including Elvis’s).

With ideas of a profession in farming, he ultimately, decided to move to northwest Indiana in 1960, for steady employment that he obtained through his uncle, at Dyer Construction.

The couple eventually settled in Highland, Indiana in 1966 and lived there for over 57 years raising 3 children; Rick, Patty & Michael. 

At Dyer Construction, he started out as a mechanic and then later was promoted to an operating engineer. This remained his profession (with three different companies) until he retired at age 70, in 2005. He truly loved (dirt working) outside on that heavy machinery and would take the whole family on Sunday drives to show off his work and would sometimes give the grandchildren rides in the machines!

An avid backyard gardener, Rich loved to grow a variety of vegetables from (the best) tomatoes, peppers, radishes, green beans, lettuce and many other items, in his little plot of land, behind the garage!  An excellent horseshoe player, he loved to have a good time entertaining with family and friends and hosted a Super Bowl party every year for over 30 years!

He remained a lifelong fan of the Blackhawks, White Sox, Bears & Notre Dame football and basketball.

Richard is survived by his brother, Larry Copp; son, Rick (Anne) Copp; daughter, Patty (Ken) Croft; daughter-in-law, Stefanie Copp; grandchildren, Brittany (Adam) Brewer, Corey Copp, Breanne (Payton) Brezinski, Courtney (Lou) Grounds, Kristen (Alex) Gorman & Gregory Copp; great-grandchildren; Brody, Lydia & Stella Brewer, Adalynn & Cal Grounds, Ruby & Baylor Brezinski; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by his loving wife Barbara, parents, Emmett and Ruth Copp; beloved son, Michael Copp; brother, Gene Hicks; sister-in-law, Merry (Kathy) Copp; brother-in-law, Larry Davis; and sister-in-law, Linda Davis.

Richard was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, brother, uncle, friend, neighbor and will be greatly missed by all whose lives he impacted!

“We know you are smiling, resting in Peace and finally reunited with your dearest Barbara for eternity! You should be so proud of the work you have done here on earth! Your family are all better and stronger people because of you and your guidance! May you watch over us till we see you again!”

Visitation will be held on Saturday, January 3rd, 2026 beginning at 11 am CST and concluding with a brief family service at 12:45 pm at Hillside Funeral Home, 8941 Kleinman Road, Highland, IN 46322.

In lieu of flowers, donations would be greatly appreciated to the Alzheimer’s Association:  https://www.alz.org/

For additional information, please contact Hillside Funeral Home, Konnie Kuiper - Michael Kuiper-Vass by calling us at 219-838-0800 or visiting us at www.hillsidefhcares.com

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