Caryl Mary Coppin

Caryl Mary Leehmann Coppin, 92, of Joseph, died Feb. 16. A service was held Feb. 20 at Joseph Methodist Church. Private burial followed at Joseph Cemetery.

Caryl was born Dec. 24, 1917, the oldest of three children to Walter and Edith Leehmann at the family home in Lakeview. She graduated from Lakeview High School in 1936 and graduated from Oregon State University in 1940 from the School of Home Economics. In the 1970s, Caryl continued her education, attending University of Oregon, Eastern Oregon University and Portland State to complete her studies for a library science degree.

Caryl worked from 1941 to 1947 for the Farm Security Administration War Foods Department as a home economist setting up nursery schools and food service for the migrants and farm workers in Oregon and Washington. This is where she met her husband, Cleve Coppin. They married June 20, 1942, in Vancouver, Wash. The couple moved around with their work, living in Dayton and Yakima and Walla Walla.

In 1948, the couple moved to Wallowa County and bought a farm on the Upper Prairie Creek. Caryl was an active rancher's wife until September 1966 when she went to work for the Enterprise School District. She was the high school librarian and worked there for 10 years.

Active in many aspects of the community, Caryl volunteered and served as a 4-H leader for more than 15 years and served on the fair board for several years. She was a member of the United Methodist Church where she taught Sunday school for 15 years. She volunteered with the Joseph City Library and Wallowa County Library and was instrumental in developing the Wallowa County Library.

She was a member of the Eastern Star and served on the board for Rainbow Girls. She also volunteered on the board for Community Connections.

She was a member of the Retired Teachers organization. Caryl was a member of Soroptimists and volunteered at the thrift shop for many years. She was an active PEO member until her death.

Caryl was passionate about the development and operations of the Wallowa County Museum and contributed many hours to this organization. She was chairman of the museum board for many years, retiring at the age of 90 from the board.

Caryl is survived by her two brothers, Walter Leehmann and his wife, Jean, of Lakeview and Mearle Leehmann of Lakeview; children, Don Coppin and his wife, Carolyn, of Elgin, Mike Coppin and his wife, Karen, of Joseph and Susan Coppin of Joseph; five grandchildren; one step-grandchild; three great-grandchildren; and two step-great-grandchildren. Caryl was preceded in death by her parents; and her husband, Cleve.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends of the Wallowa County Museum, P.O. Box 430, Joseph 97846.

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