Sept. 2, 2002 Natale Coppo FELCH — Natale (Nate) G. Coppo, 82, of Felch, passed away after a courageous battle with cancer on Aug. 31, 2002. He will be sadly missed but lovingly remembered by his wife of 55 years, Leona (Branback); his daughters, Barbara (Mick) Beauchamp of Hardwood, Rita (Bill) Edberg of Breitung Township, and Eva (Butch) Carlson of Kingsford; his grandchildren, Rhonda (Larry) Johnson of Felch, Renee Wickman of Felch, Donald (Heather) Carlson of Cedar Springs, and Allison and Angela Edberg of Breitung Township; five great-grandchildren, Mark and Victoria Wickman, Erica and Cory Johnson of Felch, and Brendon Carlson of Cedar Springs; a sister, Sera (Frank) Lewis of South Lyon; many nieces and nephews, and many special friends at the coffee shop. He was preceded in death by a grandchild, Joseph Ryan Carlson, in 1976. Nate was born June 26, 1920 in Pont Canavase (Piedmonte) Italy to Battista and Guistina Coppo. He came to the United States in 1931 and lived in Mohawk, graduated from Calumet High School, and enlisted in the United States Army serving in the Recon Troop of the 127th Regiment, 32nd Army Infantry (Red Arrow) Division in the southwest Pacific Theater. He was involved in the Papuan and New Guinea campaigns, and in the Aitape, Leyte and Luzon operations, including the Battle of Buna. He was authorized to wear and was credited with numerous citations and medals, which included the Bronze Star Medal, the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with four Bronze Battle Stars, and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star. After returning from the service, he attended Michigan Technological University and was a member of the Civilian Conservation Corps for two years before he joined the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as a Conservation Officer. In 1946, Nate was assigned to the Felch area where he married, settled, and raised his family. During the last six years of his assignment, before retirement in 1980 from the DNR, he was the Law Supervisor for Dickinson and Menominee counties. At the time of his retirement, he related his reasons for becoming a conservation officer, "I like the outdoors and hate having to stay inside, this is my way of living." He enjoyed hunting and trained hunting dogs and bloodhounds for himself and other law enforcement agencies. He could often be seen admiring his gardens or spending countless hours at his ponds. He enjoyed raising fish and Christmas trees, fishing, trapping, bowling, horseshoeing, and reading. He also enjoyed watching basketball, especially watching his grandchildren play the game. He was the source for many successful school projects and essays. He was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Foster City, and belonged to the American Legion and Felch VFW Post 4803. Visitation will be Monday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Jacobs Funeral Home in Iron Mountain and Tuesday from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Foster City. The Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Church. Fr. George Kuppayil will officiate. Burial will be in Felch Cemetery. The American Legion and VFW posts of Felch will conduct a full color guard at graveside. The family is being served by the Jacobs Funeral Home of Iron Mountain.