Editor’s note: After the Celebration of Life service, Mike and Colleen Buckwalter offer their event location, The Briefing Room, at 114 E. Main Street. Family, associates, and friends are invited to gather for snacks, drinks, and socializing. The Coplan family welcomes “everyone that knew and loved Dad.”
Ronald Franklin Coplan, 88, of Valparaiso, IN, formerly of Morrison, IL, passed away Tuesday, November 18, 2025.
He was born September 24, 1937, in Taylorville, IL, to Franklin S. and Hanna E. (Brubaker) Coplan. Ronald graduated from the University of Illinois, then served proudly with the U. S. Marine Corps from 1959 to 1962, before receiving his Juris Doctorate from the University of Illinois Law School. He established his law practice in Morrison practicing for 58 years, until age 85. In 1964 in Champaign, IL, he married Rosemary Winters who survives and currently resides in Milwaukee, WI.
Ronald is survived by his children, Geoffrey (Teri) Coplan of Valparaiso, Gregory (Lori) Coplan of Clover, SC, and Amanda Coplan of Cudahy, WI; sister, Grace Eckland; grandchildren, Arianna, Hunter, Paige, Jordan, Camille, Noah, and Mason; great-grandson, Torren.
He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Robert G. Coplan.
Ron’s life was one of service and engagement. Following his three years of active duty, he served in the Marine Corps Reserve until1976, completing 17 years and resigning his commission as a Major. He was a member of Morrison Rotary Club for over 50 years, participating in numerous philanthropic activities and enjoying life-long friendships to his final days. He was a member of the Board of Trustees at Sauk Valley Community College. Ron was an active member of Morrison United Methodist Church, serving in leadership positions, reading scripture, providing a solid bass voice in the choir, and at times offering a sermon or two. Professionally Ron held several positions outside of his private practice, as the City Attorney for Sterling, Fulton, and Mount Carroll, IL. If you looked, you would find Ron flipping pancakes at the annual Volunteer Fire Department pancake breakfast; serving chili for the MHS Boosters Club; volunteering during Harvest Hammer; coaching Little League Baseball with his friend and co-coach, Norm Edlund, Ron timed races at swim meets and track meets. He was a life-long St. Louis Cardinals fan, a condition that skipped a generation and infected his granddaughter, Jordan.
Following Cremation at Angelcrest Crematory, a Celebration of Ronald’s Life will be held at Morrison United Methodist Church, Morrison, IL, on Saturday, January 17, 2026.
In lieu of flowers or donations, our family asks that you give a hug; offer a pat on the back and words of encouragement; share a chocolate milkshake with your family and friends.