Gertrude W. Johnstone-Copeland, 91, of Springfield, passed away Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, in Forest Glen Health Campus. She was born Jan. 3, 1929, in Evanston, Ill., the daughter of Louis E. and Marie J. (Hodel) Welch, Sr.
Gertrude was a 1947 graduate of Catholic Central High School and then attended Robert Morris School of Business in Pittsburgh. She retired from Wright State University in 1992. She was a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Survivors include one daughter and son-in-law, Kristen & Michael Blakeman of Springfield, and numerous nieces and nephews and special friends. She was preceded in death by her husband, James “Bub” Copeland; an infant daughter, Gertie; two sisters, Betty Hier and Patricia Hohlmayer and one brother Louis Welch, Jr.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m., on Saturday, Oct. 31, 2020, in St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Central School, Alzheimer’s Association or your favorite charity.
