1ST SGT (RET) MIKE COPLEY

Michael Jay Copley, 50, son of James Copley and Alta Ridinger Miller, was born Oct. 3, 1953, at Fort Campbell, Ky. He died July 19, 2004, as the result of injuries sustained in a mortar attack while working in Iraq.He entered the U.S. Army in 1971 and retired in 1995 after 24 years service. He received the Army Commendation Medal (2nd award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Army Good Conduct Medal (7th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (3rd award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (4th award), Gold Recruiter Badge, Meritorious Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Driver Mechanic Badge, Expert Qualification Badge .45-Caliber Pistol and the Sharpshooter Qualification Badge M-16 Rifle. After his retirement, he continued working for the government as a field service representative for Butler International based in Milpitas, Calif. He made his home at Plato.He married Paulette Mary Fields Hofmann Sept. 12, 1981, at Walthersville, Ga. Surviving are his wife of the home; seven sons, William Hofmann of Hinesville, Ga., Brandon Hofmann of Savannah, Ga., Benjamin Copley of Knoxville, Tenn., Michael Copley of Big Piney and Justin, Jason and Christopher Copley of Plato; his father of Cincinnati, Ohio; his mother of LaFollette, Tenn.; and four grandchildren.Services were July 27 at Soldier’s Memorial Chapel at Fort Leonard Wood with Chaplain Cpt. Kelly Porter officiating. Burial with military honors was in the Palace Cemetery near Evening Shade under the direction of Waynesville Memorial Chapel. “