Mr. Erich K Kopitzke

June 03, 1941 - June 23, 2009

Erich K. Kopitzke, 68 of North Vernon passed away at 10:30 PM, Tuesday evening on June 23, 2009 at his residence.

Born on June 3, 1941 in Iron Mountain, Michigan, Erich was the son of Frederick W. and Jane Ann Pinkerton Kopitzke II. As a teenager he graduated from Short Ridge High School in Indianapolis and obtained his Eagle Scout. He went on to graduate from Purdue University where he was a part of the Sigma Epsilon Fraternity with a Bachelor's degree in Business Management. He later married Dell Camp on September 19, 1964. They went on to have three sons. She preceded him in death on June 4, 2007.

Erich had been a member at St. Mary's Catholic Church in North Vernon where he served on the finance committee. He owned Erich K Motors with which he was awarded outstanding car dealer of the year by the Indiana Independent Auto Dealers Association in 2004. Along with the car lot he also owned Erich K Collision, Vernon Liquor, and Fashion Cleaners in Madison. He had formerly owned Excel Cleaners, Erich K Ford, and Layman Chevrolet in New Jersey. Mr. Kopitzke had served on the Jennings County Hospital Board and had been a member of the Jennings County Chamber of Commerce for thirty years. He was also a supporter of the Jennings County Community Foundation and many other community organizations. Erich was an avid golfer.

He is survived by his mother, Jane Kopitzke of Indianapolis, three sons, Chris (Kelly), Dave (Melissa), and Matt (Brooke) Kopitzke all of North Vernon, two brothers, David A. Kopitzke of Richland Center, Wisconsin and Frederick W. Kopitzke III of Indianapolis, a sister, Christine Ann Hobbs of Indianapolis, and six grandchildren, Cory, Halie, Kaitlyn, Kelcie, Tesla, and Carmen Kopitzke all of North Vernon.

He was preceded in death by his father and his wife.

Funeral Information

A mass of Christian burial will be held at 11 AM on Tuesday, June 30, 2009 at St. Mary's Catholic Church with Father Stephen Donahue officiating. Visitation will be from 4 to 8 PM on Monday evening at Sawyer-Pickett Funeral Home. Interment will be at St. Mary's Cemetery.

Donations Information

Memorials may be made through the funeral home to Hospice of Jennings County.