- Date Of Birth: September 10, 1917
- Date Of Death: January 10, 2015
- State: Illinois
John Leroy Coppernoll, 97, of Stockton, Illinois, passed from this world on January 10, 2015 to be with the Lord. John was born to parents Cora (Belk) and Walter Coppernoll on September 10, 1917. He lived on a farm north of Morseville his entire life, where he farmed and repaired all kinds of equipment in his shop.
He repaired equipment that other mechanics could not fix, from chainsaws and lawnmowers to tractors and airplanes. After high school, his interest in aviation led him to earn a pilot license, Commercial license, pilot instructor license, and A & P mechanic license. After World War II, he taught many local persons, including his brother Burrill, to fly. John and Burrill established the Stockton Airport on their father’s farm in 1947.
John married Mildred Toepfer on June 17, 1942 and had two children. Mildred passed away on October 20, 1972. He married Evelyn Ewing on April 19, 1985. Surviving are wife Evelyn; brother, Burrill Coppernoll; daughter, Penny (Rodney) Blach; son, Larry (Diana) Coppernoll; two grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.
He was a longtime member of Pleasant Valley Church, and a memorial service will be held there in July to celebrate his life.
