Dawn Elaine Copeland, 63, of Wabash, Indiana, died at 12:47 am, Saturday, March 21, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne, Indiana. She was born on November 13, 1962, in Wabash, to Harold and Betty (Heddings) Penn.
Dawn married Ray Copeland in Wabash on December 22, 1978. She never met a stranger and was known for her reliability, her kindness, and the way she held her family together. She cherished family gatherings, especially when she could be outside grilling and surrounded by the people she loved most.
A passionate collector, Dawn found joy in clocks, porcelain dolls, and-of course-her beloved shoes. She enjoyed playing Candy Crush, cross stitching, taking photos, tending to her flowers, and bargain shopping. She had a special love for children and treasured every moment spent with her family at the lake.
Dawn’s life was filled with simple pleasures, deep connections, and a generous spirit that touched everyone around her.
She is survived by her husband, Ray Copeland of Wabash; three children, Amy (Anthony) Bailey of Rising Sun, Indiana, Alvah (Dawndra) Copeland of Wabash, and Katie (Rusty) Richardson of North Manchester, Indiana; ten grandchildren, Shaylena Cook, Paige Bailey, Tori Bailey, Tyler (Diamond) Copeland, Kayleigh Copeland, Kyle (Angel) Copeland, Cody (Maci) Copeland, Noah Copeland, Landon Copeland, and Drake King; four great-grandchildren, Finnley, Laya, Trayton, and Knox; and her siblings, Allen (Lora) Penn of Bluffton, Indiana, Craig Penn of Fort Wayne, and Kathy (Richard) Hubbard of Wabash; sister-in-law, Rita Penn of Wabash; and mother-in-law, Mary Fields of Peru, Indiana. She was preceded in death by her parents, son, Joshua “Josh” Copeland, brother, Bruce Penn, her sister, Barbara Jean Penn; nieces, Tiffany Badman and Dharma Walls-Klug, fathers-in-law Ronald Copeland and Jerry Fields, and sister-in-law Ramona Copeland.
Family will receive friends from 3-6 pm Saturday, March 28, 2026, at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash.
Preferred memorials are Animal Shelter of Wabash County or the Wabash County Cancer Society.
The memorial guest book for Dawn may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.
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