Kopper

Edward A. Kopper, Ph.D., 75, of Lake Latonka, Mercer County, formerly of Butler, died early Friday morning at his home surrounded by his sons.

A native of Philadelphia, he was born May 8, 1937, to Edward and Margaret McBride Kopper.

He had graduated from St. Joseph University in Philadelphia with a B.A. in English and from Lehigh University, earning his master’s degree, and held a doctorate in English from Temple University.

Dr. Kopper was a retired professor of English at Slippery Rock University, where he taught for 30 years.

Prior to SRU he taught English at Lehigh University, Temple University, Villanova University and at the South Bend campus of Indiana University. He was a writer with an international reputation for scholarship and authored many books and publications. Dr. Kopper was a loving husband, wonderful father and honored professor.

He had been a member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Butler.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 39 years, Peggy Gorman Kopper, who he married June 18, 1966, and who died Aug. 16, 2005; he also had a brother, David, who is deceased.

Survivng are two sons, Edward Kopper in Nashville, Tenn., and Kevin P. Kopper, Ph.D., and his wife, Melinda, of Latrobe; two grandchildren, Kevin Kopper Jr. and Lyden Kopper; and one sister, Peggy (Al) Kauffman of Philadelphia.

KOPPER — Friends of Edward A. Kopper, who died Friday, Aug. 3, 2012, will be received at the Geibel Funeral Home, 201 E. Cunningham St., Butler, from 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday.

A memorial and blessing service will follow at 8 p.m. at the funeral home. The Rev. Kevin Fazio of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church will officiate. Cremation services are provided by the funeral home.

His family suggests that memorial donations be made to St. Paul Catholic Church, 128 N. McKean St., Butler.