Glenn Edwin Copen Sr., 94, of Bruceton Mills, went to be with his Lord and Savior Wednesday, April 23, 2025, surrounded by family in Preston Memorial Hospital. He was born August 7, 1930, in Kingwood, to Clarence and Mabel Copen. Glenn graduated from Kingwood High School in 1949. He enjoyed playing the tuba in the band.
He completed the American Institute of Banking (AIB) and the West Virginia Banking School.
He married the love of his life, Betsy Kirk, February 17, 1951, and remained a truly devoted husband to her until his death. The couple lived in Kingwood, Morgantown, Davis and Bruceton Mills over their 74-year marriage. They spent 25 winters in Tucson, Ariz.
Although Glenn was a banker and a grocer by trade, he had fond memories of being a soda jerk at Bartlett’s Drug Store in Kingwood during high school.
Banking included being the auditor at both Farmers and Merchants Bank in Morgantown and Bruceton Bank in Bruceton Mills.
As a grocer, he worked at Conley’s Market in Kingwood and managed the Shop and Save in both Kingwood and Davis. He also managed the store at Camp Dawson.
He was honorably discharged from the United States Air Force Reserves.
Glenn was a true Mountaineer sports fanatic! He was the Dominion Post Extreme Fan in 1998. He and his wife had football season tickets and attended multiple WVU bowls including the Sugar Bowls, Fiesta Bowls, Liberty Bowl and Gator Bowls as well as Sweet Sixteen basketball games. In addition to WVU sports, he loved fishing in West Virginia and Arizona.
Glenn was an outgoing and true friend – loyal to both family and friends. His faith as a Christian was also an integral part of his life at Crescent Hills Chapel in Morgantown and Grace Chapel in Kingwood.
Glenn is survived by his wife, Betsy E. Kirk Copen; two children, Glenn “Zeke” E. Copen, Jr. (Debbie) of Kingwood, and Jane Copen Fredlock (Jimmy) of Tucson. He is also survived by five grandchildren: Kirk Copen (Alison) of Bruceton Mills; Joshua Copen (Deanette) of Morgantown; Cassie Copen Weyer (Brad) of Wheaton, Ill.; Caitlin Fredlock Haines (Andrew) of Tucson; and Bailie Fredlock Muñoz (Daniel) of Lisle, Ill. He leaves behind 14 great- grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Christine Copen of Kingwood.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brother, Allen Eugene Copen; his sister, Janice Fay Bishop; and an infant sister, Nancy Jane.
Friends may gather for visitation in Kingwood Funeral Home, 295 S. Price Street, Kingwood, from 3 to 7 p.m. Wednesday, April 30, and again Thursday, May 1, from 10 until the time of the funeral service at 11 a.m., officiated by the Reverend Mike Argabrite, with assistance from the Reverend Michael Yates. Interment will follow at Terra Alta Cemetery.
Condolences and sympathy gifts can be sent to the Copen family at www.kingwoodfuneralhomewv.com.
Kingwood Funeral Home is honored to serve the Copen family.
