Clarence E. Copeland, age 87 of Malvern, died Sunday morning, January 18, 2009 in the Hot Spring County Medical Center. He was born in Amity, Arkansas on December 6, 1921 to the late James Andrew and Betty Brantley Copeland. Reared and educated in Amity, he had been a resident of Malvern since 1956. He was an Army Air Corps/Air Force veteran of World War II and the Korean War. Clarence worked for the State of Arkansas Employment Security Division for 38 years, during which time he served as manager for both the Malvern and Arkadelphia offices. Throughout the years, and even recently, people would approach Clarence and thank him for getting them jobs. He was a faithful member of First United Methodist Church, attended and taught the John Lindsay Sunday School Class, and served on many boards of the church. Clarence was active in the local blood drives and always looked forward to election time, for he was a longtime poll worker. In his earlier years Clarence was involved in the Malvern Chamber of Commerce.

He is survived by his wife of 66 years, Claudine Sanders Copeland, to whom he was married on September 10, 1942 in Lambert, Arkansas; by a son, Ricky and his wife Mona Copeland of Maumelle; by a daughter, Jane Ann Copeland of Hot Springs; by two grandchildren, Lindsey Thomas and her husband Nathan of Conway, and Nicholas Copeland of Little Rock.

Clarence was preceded in death by an infant son, Edward Lynn Copeland, and by eight brothers and three sisters.

Funeral services are scheduled for ten o'clock Wednesday morning, January 21, 2009 in the chapel of J. A. Funk Funeral Home with Reverend J. Stephen Wingo officiating.

Interment will follow in Beaton Cemetery near Bismarck.

Pallbearers will be Nicholas Copeland, Arlo Copeland, Nathan Thomas, Scott Gourley, Eddie Looper and Dennis Prince.

Honorary pallbearers will be Dr. Bruce Burton and staff, staff members of Arbor Oaks, members of the John Lindsay Sunday School Class, and Joyce Vaughan.

The family will receive friends at the mortuary on Tuesday evening from five until seven o'clock.

Memorials are requested to First United Methodist Church, Malvern, or the Beaton Cemetery Association.

Online condolences may be sent via jafunkfuneralhome.com