Carl ‘Dean’ Coplen, 89, of Mesa, Ariz., and formerly of Warsaw, Ind., passed away Monday, Dec. 30, 2013, at Banner Gardens Hospice House, Mesa, Ariz.

Dean was born May 11, 1924, in Akron, Ind., to Lee and Cora (Zimmerman) Coplen. He was a 1942 graduate of Gilead High School where he was the first of many Coplens to play basketball. He met Helen Landis of Akron and they were married Oct. 16, 1943. Dean joined the Army shortly after their marriage.

After his discharge from the Army, Dean had a lifetime career with the Pennsylvania Railroad and Conrail and also worked part time for Abshire Oil and Lewis Shell Oil. No matter what his hours were he always had time for family.

He is survived by a daughter and son-in-law: Sandy (Jack) Moore, Mesa, Ariz.; two sons and daughters-in-law: Randy (Diane) Coplen, Wichita, Kan.; and John (Kathy) Coplen, Fort Wayne, Ind.; nine grandchildren: Mark Wiseman and Travis Wiseman, both of Mesa; Ryan Coplen and Michele Coplen, both of Searcy, Ark.; Andrea Coplen and Daniel Coplen, both of Fort Wayne; Marla Palmer, Mesa; Michelle Moore, Marion, Ind.; and Will Hilton of Hastings, Minn.; 11 great-grandchildren; three brothers: Bob (Muriel) Coplen, Fort Wayne; Ralph (Barbara) Coplen, Warsaw; and Dale (Beverly) Coplen,  North Manchester, Ind.; and a sister: Ruth Chandler, Indianapolis.

He was preceded in death by a son: Terry; his parents: Lee and Cora Coplen, two brothers: Charles Coplen and Wayne Coplen; and a sister: June Brown.

Family and friends will gather for a time of sharing in support from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Jan. 7,  at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw. A service celebrating the lives of Carl “Dean” and Helen Irene Coplen will follow beginning at noon in the funeral home. Pastor David Hummel of  Trinity United Methodist Church, of which both were members, will officiate.

The family has asked that gifts in memory of Dean and Helen be given to Baker Youth Club, 765 W. Market Street, Warsaw, IN 46580; or to La Bella Vita, c/o Aldrich Telan, 7515 Farmdale Road, Mesa, AZ 85208.

To send online condolences or sign the guestbook, visit the Titus Funeral Home website.