RUSSELL — Clifford Franklin Kopke, 88, died Dec. 1, 2013 at a Littleton, Colorado assisted living facility. Born Aug. 31, 1925, in Emporia, he was the son of William C. Kopke and Sophia Adaline Van Deren Kopke. In 1943 graduated from high school in Emporia.  On Feb. 28, 1948, he married Margaret Dorothy Back in Wichita, living in Hoisington before relocating to Russell. She died on Aug. 27, 1983. He was employed by a tent and awning factory before being employed in oil exploration. After military service he was employed by John O. Farmer for 51 years working mostly in the Russell area.
Mr. Kopke served in the Navy during World War II in the South Pacific. He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church of Russell and member of the Veterans of Forign Wars and the American Legion posts, in Russell.
Survivors include his sister Norma Jean (Kopke) Leonard of Emporia; his brother William Carl Kopke of Oklahoma City, Okla.; a son Monte Kopke of Littleton, Colo.; two grandchildren; and three great-granchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and wife Margaret.
A celebration of Clifford’s life will be held at 10 a.m. on Monday, at the Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary in Russell, Kansas, with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating. Services will conclude at the mortuary with a private burial following the chapel service. Military rites will be performed at the mortuary by the Russell V.F.W. Post No. 6240. Visitation will be from 1 to 8 p.m., with family present from 6 to 7 p.m., on Sunday, at the mortuary. Memorials are suggested to the St. John Lutheran Church in care of the mortuary

Funeral arrangements provided by
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
610 N. Maple
Russell, Ks. 67665
Great Bend (Kan) Tribune, Dec. 5, 2013