Michael Joseph "Mike" Copp, 86, of Burlington, Kansas, passed away Monday night, June 19, 2023, at the Life Care Center in Burlington.

He was born March 15, 1937, at Wakeeney, KS, the son of Vincent and Delphine (Kuhn) Copp. He spent his childhood in Wakeeney and enlisted in the U.S. Navy on May 4, 1954. He served at sea for over three years until his discharge on January 29, 1958. He was awarded the National Defense Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the China Service Medal.

Following his discharge he returned home and on August 30, 1958, he and Joyce Stenzel were married at Wakeeney.

He was employed by King Construction Company as a crane operator building bridges on I-70 from Wakeeney to Salina. His job eventually took him down I-35 towards Wichita and this is when he and Joyce decided to move to Burlington. In Burlington he was a partner with Judd Thompson at Judd and Mike's 66 Service Station for a number of years. He operated a service station in Madison for a short time before returning to Burlington and purchasing the gas station from Judd. He eventually closed the station and went back to work for King's Construction in Topeka. He suffered a serious injury at work and after recovering he worked at Lewis Oil in Burlington until his retirement.

His wife, Joyce, preceded him in death on May 19, 2016. He was also preceded by his parents; a brother, Vincent Copp, Jr.; and a sister, Betty Buchholz.

He leaves his son, Terry Copp of Garner, KS; his daughter, Yolanda Luke (Tyrel) of Excelsior Springs, MO; 3 grandchildren; 6 great-grandchildren; two brothers, Dwayne Copp, Roseville, CA and Larry Copp, El Segundo, California; three sisters, Patty Roe, Wakeeney, Rosie Mai, Salina, and Mary Jane Wahlmeier, Norton, KS; a number of nieces and nephews; other relatives and friends.

Cremation is planned. Burial will take place at a later date at the Wakeeney Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Disable American Veterans and may be sent in care of Jones Funeral Home, PO Box 277, Burlington, KS 66839.