73 °F Ocean City, US
May 10, 2026

Jean G. Copeland

Jean G. Copeland, “Jean Jean the dancing machine,” walked on without us on Dec. 13, 2024 while residing at The Shores at Wesley Manor, Ocean City, N.J.

Jean was born May 26, 1930 to Dayse and Edward Geuther. She grew up in Trevose, Pa., and attended the local schools. She earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education at Westminster College (Pa.) and a master’s degree at Penn State University. 

While an admittedly lousy cook, many in the old Pebble Woods neighborhood in Doylestown, Pa., will argue that she made the best hot dogs. She more than made up for her cooking with her sewing skills. She kept busy recovering chairs, making drapes and hanging padded valances with her husband, Jim. They lived in their Doylestown house and remained married for 53 years and remained married  for 53 years which ended with Jim’s passing in 2012. While living in Doylestown, Jean was a Meals on Wheels volunteer for 38 years. From there, Jean moved to the Manor at Yorktown, where she lived until 2021. Jean spent her summers in Ocean City, N.J. – beginning in 1996 – and went on to sell beach tags for the city from their inception in 1975 until the late 1990s.

Jean was predeceased by her son, Edward M., in 1982, her husband James in 2012, and her sister, Peg, in 2013. She is survived by her daughter, Anne Merrill (John), her grandson, Tyler Merrill (Abby), and her granddaughter, Casey Heinicke (Seth).

Jean will be interred at Trinity Buckingham Cemetery with her husband and son. Services are private. Memorial contributions (in lieu of flowers) can be sent to your local Meals on Wheels.

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