Donald Dean CopleyHumboldt, KS

Donald "Don" Dean Copley passed away September 16, 2026, at his home in Humboldt, Kansas.

Don was born on October 14, 1938, at Alliance, Nebraska along with his identical twin brother Dale Eugene Copley, their parents were Alvis and Mabel Copley. Don was the class president, and Dale was the vice president during their senior year, they graduated from high school in 1956. Don and Dale enlisted in the Air Force shortly after their graduation. Don spent 20 years in the Air Force and retired on February 28, 1977. Don's Air Force career landed him in a variety of locations around the globe including Benghazi, Libya and in Thailand. In Thailand Don had to wear civilian clothing to avoid detection as a member of the US Military.

Don met Dolores "Dodie" Wulf at the Lutheran Church in Colorado Springs, Colorado and were married on September 29, 1973. Don and Dodie moved to Humboldt, Kansas in 1982 where Don worked at the Murrill Insurance Agency for 1 year before he began his second career at the Monarch Cement Company of Humboldt, Kansas. Don retired from Monarch after 20 years of work in 2003.

Don had several main passions in his life; family, Jesus and the Church, and love of aviation.

Don earned a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989 and a Master's Degree in 1996 both from Friends University in Wichita, Kansas. Don was called to be a Pastor and went thru the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, Specific Ministry Pastors Program and was ordained and installed on May 6, 2018. Don loved being an assistant Pastor and serving at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Humboldt, Kansas. Don's ministry included preaching, baptizing, attending bible study, visiting with people in hospitals and home shut-ins. Don would share Christ's words and love with them, plus offering the Lord's Supper.

Donald became a pilot in 1963, renting airplanes for training and personal flights. Later Don and Jim Heffernon of Iola, Kansas purchased a 1965 Cessna 172, they stored their airplane in one of the T-Hangars at the Allen County Airport in Iola, Kansas. In 2001 Don, Jim and Scott Baker flew in the Cessna 172 to the world largest airshow at Oshkosh, Wisconsin. Don enjoyed giving many people their first airplane ride at the Breakfast Fly-Ins at the Allen County Airport. Don also served on the Allen County Airport Board of Directors.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Alvis and Mabel Copley, brother Harley Copley died at 18 months, brother Dale Copley, son Jeffrey Dean Copley and daughter Wendy Den Herder

Don is survived by his wife, Dodie Copley of the home; brother Waldo Copley; son Braxton Bragg Copley; son Lawson Ashley Bragg Copley and his wife Erin; 4 grandchildren, grandson Bennett Wulf Copley, grandson Austin Henry Copley and wife Hannah, granddaughter Ellis Rose Copley, and grandson Daniel Lee Houston; 2 great grandsons, Jeffrey Dean Houston and Braxton Houston.

A visitation will be held on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at The Venue at Feuerborn Family Funeral Service in Iola, Kansas. A funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM on Friday, September 25, 2026, at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Humboldt, Kansas. Burial will follow at Mount Hope Cemetery in Humboldt, Kansas.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the St. Peter's Lutheran Church and left in the care of the funeral home.

Condolences may be left at www.feuerbornfuneral.com