Greensburg
Barbara Ann Copeland Ferris, 87, of Greensburg, passed away June 8, 2017.
She was born in Rock Island, Illinois, May 30, 1930, to Ross and Nellie Copeland. Though born in the midwest, she grew up in Seattle, Washington, where she graduated from high school in 1948.
When she moved with her family to Greensburg, she met and married Robert A. Ferris on March 1, 1951. Together they resided on Bob’s family farm south of Greensburg in Decatur County, where they raised four children. From the beginning, they shared a deep faith. Christ was the center of their home as they strived to pass the rich heritage of grace, hope and love given them along to all those who knew them.
In her early years, Barbara developed a love for music. As an accomplished pianist, organist and flutist, she shared her talent by serving as choir director, pianist and organist at Mt. Aerie Baptist Church for 25 years and later with various musical ensembles including the Handbell Choir at First Baptist Church in Greensburg.
Also from her youth in Seattle, Barbara had a deep affinity for the outdoors, specifically hiking and skiing in the Cascade Mountains surrounding the city. Upon moving to Indiana, as many Hoosiers do, she learned to love growing things. Her vegetable and flower gardening were done on a grand scale, also being a 4-H Club leader for many years.
She was a loyal fan of Peyton Manning and Purdue Boilermakers and was often on the sidelines cheering her grandchildren on, whatever their pursuits.
Barbara was passionate about politics, never hesitating to make her voice heard on relevant issues of the day. She served in various leadership roles as an active member of First Baptist Church, school and other philanthropic organizations over the years, including president of local chapters of PTA, Indiana Baptist Women and Psi Iota Xi.
She was employed by Delta Faucet in purchasing for 17 years, retiring in 1992.
Barbara is survived by husband, Robert Ferris; children, Virginia Mulroney (Robert), Sardinia, Dwight Ferris (Madelyn), Muncie, Scott Ferris (Donna), Harrodsburg, Kentucky and Beth Horton (Stephen), Lebanon; grandchildren, Ben Mulroney (Tamara), David Mulroney (Julia van Arragon), Lane DeMeulenaere (Michael), Keegan Ferris, Gabe Ferris (Kayla), Emily Brown (Gary), Hannah Horton, Laura Horton and Caleb Horton; brothers, Dean Copeland (Joan) and James Copeland; sister, Marilyn Kauzlarich; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Ross and Nellie Copeland; grandson, Michael Mulroney; brother-in-law, Tony Kauzlarich; and sister-in-law, June Copeland.
A visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. Monday, June 12, 2017, at Gilliland Howe Funeral Home in Greensburg. A celebration of life service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, also at Gilliland Howe, with the Rev. Cliff Bunch officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Mission Aviation Fellowship, Gideons International or the American Heart Association.
Online condolences to the family may be made at www.gilliland-howe.com.
