Arthur E. "Art" Copeland, age 86, a 67 year resident of Wheaton, passed away on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. He was born on January 24, 1931 to JC and Golda Copeland in Moline, Illinois.

Art had a passion for photography, gardening and woodworking. He often invented his own tools in order to complete projects. He had a rare talent of bringing projects from conception to completion with excellence.

Art worked in a foundry in high school and graduated from East Moline High School in 1949. He started Star Construction with brother-in-law Dick Burlingame. Art moved on to Superintendent for Elliot Construction for over 30 years. He built the house that he and Joan raised their family in 1955 and they resided there until 2014.

In his retirement, Art enjoyed giving of his time and talents to many missionaries. From loading ocean containers of needed supplies for Angola to building hospital additions in Niger, Art served God faithfully.

Art and Joan were faithful members of Wheaton Bible Church for over 60 years.

Art is survived by his wife, Joan (nee Hansen) with whom he celebrated 66 years of marriage. He is also survived by his sister, Patricia (Dick) Burlingame, daughters Mary Jo (Don) Adamis, Janine Irving, Gail (Mike) Wagers, Cathy (Russ) Frank, Karen (Kalevi) Kekkonen, and son Tim (Karen) Copeland. Art was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren, who were his joy.

Art was preceded in home-going by parents, JC and Golda Copeland, brother Bill Copeland and infant brother Wayne.

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, from 10:00 a.m. until the start of a funeral service to be held at 11:00 a.m. at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., in Wheaton, IL. Interment will follow at Wheaton Cemetery in Wheaton, IL.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to St. Luke's Health Care Foundation (Soddo Christian Hospital), PO Box 4465, Wheaton, IL 60189-4465 in memory of Art Copeland.