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Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... Frohnmayer, 74, dies; tributes pour in ... Our View: Medford council shouldn't over-regulate backyard pot gardens ... Special election: Jackson County voters OK marijuana tax ... Frohnmayer, 74, dies; tributes pour in ... Shirley Jeannette Kopp Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 7, 2015 at 2:00 AM Posted Mar. 7, 2015 at 2:00 AM » Social News Shirley Jeannette Kopp passed away quietly and comfortably on March 4, 2015 in Medford, Oregon, following a stroke in early January. She was at home with her loving husband of 66 years, who cared for her until the end. She was born Shirley Jeannette Berry to Joseph Butler Berry and Ida Belle Berry on January 19, 1930 at the Berry family home in Neponset, Illinois. She was the 12th of 14 children and the 9th of 10 girls. She graduated from Neponset Township high school and was Salutatorian of the Class of 1948. Her plan was to go to nursing school and she had completed her enrollment when she received a letter from Jack Kopp, who was in the Navy at the time, asking her to marry him. To the surprise of everyone, she said Yes and they were married January 14, 1949 in the First United Methodist church in Neponset, where they had both grown up and attended school together since the 1st grade. Theirs is a story of love and commitment that serves as an inspiration to all who know them. Their first child, Philip, was born in Illinois in 1950. They headed west in 1953 and didn't stop until they hit the Pacific Ocean. Kristine was born later that year in Santa Monica. They moved to Sylmar, California in 1955 and Kevin joined the family the following year. Shirley worked as a grocery checker and then started a 20-year career with State Farm Insurance in 1970. After the children set off on their own, Shirley and Jack lived in Ridgecrest, Bishop and Camarillo, before retiring to Grants Pass, Oregon in 1991. They moved back home to Kewanee, Illinois in 1994, but returned to Oregon in 1997 to be closer to their two youngest grandchildren. Shirley was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and sister. She cheered from the sidelines at countless baseball, football, basketball, and soccer games over the years. She painted ceramics with a steady hand and crocheted blankets for each of her grandchildren. Her beautiful singing voice and gift for harmony made her a welcome addition to Sweet Adelines. Shirley enjoyed cooking for her family and was a great baker, known for her pies and bread pudding, and her Christmas cookies and candies. She was an avid reader and loved to travel. Shirley and Jack made numerous cross-country trips by car and RV. Their favorite place to visit was Amish Country in Middlebury, Indiana. Shirley also enjoyed trips with her sisters to Hawaii and to Germany, where they attended the Passion Play in Oberammergau. In 2000, she traveled to China to bring home her last grandchild. Shirley served as treasurer for Habitat for Humanity, volunteered in the RVMC Auxiliary for 10 years, and was in the first class of cuddlers who rocked the babies in the NICU. She was a lifelong member of the Methodist Church and enjoyed many years of fellowship with the United Methodist Women. Shirley was preceded in death by infant daughter, Vickie Lee Kopp, born April 10, 1952, and siblings, Pearle, Pansy, Edward, Gordon, Velma, Annabelle, Marge, Helen, Donald, Phyllis, and George. She is survived by sisters, Mary and Lois, husband Jack, children Philip Kopp (wife Christine), Kristine Bales (husband Jeffrey), Kevin Kopp (wife Karen), seven grandchildren (Kelly, Jaclyn, Brian, Kimberly, Daniel, Natalie and Lisa), 13 great-grandchildren and another due any day. We were all blessed to have her in our lives for so many years. There will be a funeral service at 5:00 p.m. Saturday, March 7, 2015 at the United Methodist Church, 607 W. Main Street, Medford, Oregon. A second service will be held March 14, 2015 in Neponset, Illinois and Shirley will be laid to rest in the Berry family plot at Floral Hill Cemetery. The family would like to acknowledge the care and support of Barbara and Fred with Providence Hospice, and Bree and Jackie with Right at Home, who helped us through her final weeks. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 7, 2015 at 2:00 AM You may leave your condolences or share memories by signing the Guest Book here » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 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