1955
Chip
2023
Chip Coppel
July 7, 1955 — December 1, 2023
Chip Lee Marr Coppel, 68, of Chillicothe, died on Friday, 1 December, 2023 at 1:18am. He was born in Chillicothe on 7 July, 1955 to the late Robert L. and Mary M. nee Ginther Coppel.
He attended Unioto schools, graduating there in 1973. His dream and hope had been to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where he had been accepted, and earn his degree in interior design. This was denied him, and became as the poet said "the dream deferred." Instead, he attended O.U. – C and O.S.U. earning a B.S. degree in secondary education with a comprehensive English major.
Upon graduating from O.S.U. in 1977, he secured a teaching position at an inner-city school in Baltimore, Maryland. He taught 7 th and 8 th grade English at Calverton Jr. High School during the 1977-1978 school year. That year in Baltimore was among the happiest of his life.
In 1978, he returned to Chillicothe, there beginning his career in the service industry. He worked, first at the Holiday Inn as a waiter and bartender, then later, moved to a similar position at the Chillicothe Country Club. During his tenure at Holiday Inn, he also served as Service Supervisor and taught "First Concern" training for all of his fellow employees. His final position was with Goodwill Industries of South-Central Ohio where he was the supervisor of the rag cutting division, retiring from there in 2020.
He championed the cause of equality for all people and strove for gay rights. Refusing to live in a closet, he lived out and proud in both a time and a town where such was not acceptable. He broke all the rules and paid the price, but he showed both his courage and integrity in doing so.
An avid gardener who loved beauty, his yard was twice selected for the Majestic/WKKJ Garden Tour as one of Chillicothe's best. He was most delighted that over 250 people visited his garden that first year.
Realizing that he was an alcoholic, he entered into recovery on 23 January, 2002. At the time of his death, he had nearly 22 years of continuous sobriety. The new lease on life that sobriety gave him afforded him the opportunity to continue his education. He attended the Class Act School of Cosmetology in Chillicothe, graduating there in 2004.
Of all, there were two achievements of which he was the proudest. First, was his conversion to the Roman Catholic faith in 1982. Second were the two years, 2004 and 2005, when he was chosen as runner-up for the Ross County Homemaker of the year at the local fair. He was the only male in the competition and completed all of his projects by hand, using neither a sewing machine, nor an electric mixer.
Both God and sobriety were very good to him. One of the greatest rewards was finally getting to move in-town from the county to his dream home. This move made his declining years both happier and easier.
He leaves behind his beloved pets, Simonne, Monique, and Kaiser; one aunt whom he cherished, Mrs. Madeline C. Dixon of Chillicothe; his three swans, whom he loved dearly and upon whom he could always rely: Karen Skillings, Mary Jo Flamm-Miller, and Bonnie Myers; numerous cousins, most notably Nina Cochenour with whom he spent many happy times; and his adoptive family, the management and staff of the Western Avenue Kroger's. In addition to his parents and a special cousin, Richard Cochenour, he was predeceased by an infant sister, Jill Mary Coppel, his dearest friend and mentor, Ernest Capretta who never once let him down.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:00 pm, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at St. Peter Church, Rev. Frank Brown, Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Margaret Cemetery. Calling hours will not be observed.
He attended Unioto schools, graduating there in 1973. His dream and hope had been to attend the Art Institute of Pittsburgh, where he had been accepted, and earn his degree in interior design. This was denied him, and became as the poet said "the dream deferred." Instead, he attended O.U. – C and O.S.U. earning a B.S. degree in secondary education with a comprehensive English major.
Upon graduating from O.S.U. in 1977, he secured a teaching position at an inner-city school in Baltimore, Maryland. He taught 7 th and 8 th grade English at Calverton Jr. High School during the 1977-1978 school year. That year in Baltimore was among the happiest of his life.
In 1978, he returned to Chillicothe, there beginning his career in the service industry. He worked, first at the Holiday Inn as a waiter and bartender, then later, moved to a similar position at the Chillicothe Country Club. During his tenure at Holiday Inn, he also served as Service Supervisor and taught "First Concern" training for all of his fellow employees. His final position was with Goodwill Industries of South-Central Ohio where he was the supervisor of the rag cutting division, retiring from there in 2020.
He championed the cause of equality for all people and strove for gay rights. Refusing to live in a closet, he lived out and proud in both a time and a town where such was not acceptable. He broke all the rules and paid the price, but he showed both his courage and integrity in doing so.
An avid gardener who loved beauty, his yard was twice selected for the Majestic/WKKJ Garden Tour as one of Chillicothe's best. He was most delighted that over 250 people visited his garden that first year.
Realizing that he was an alcoholic, he entered into recovery on 23 January, 2002. At the time of his death, he had nearly 22 years of continuous sobriety. The new lease on life that sobriety gave him afforded him the opportunity to continue his education. He attended the Class Act School of Cosmetology in Chillicothe, graduating there in 2004.
Of all, there were two achievements of which he was the proudest. First, was his conversion to the Roman Catholic faith in 1982. Second were the two years, 2004 and 2005, when he was chosen as runner-up for the Ross County Homemaker of the year at the local fair. He was the only male in the competition and completed all of his projects by hand, using neither a sewing machine, nor an electric mixer.
Both God and sobriety were very good to him. One of the greatest rewards was finally getting to move in-town from the county to his dream home. This move made his declining years both happier and easier.
He leaves behind his beloved pets, Simonne, Monique, and Kaiser; one aunt whom he cherished, Mrs. Madeline C. Dixon of Chillicothe; his three swans, whom he loved dearly and upon whom he could always rely: Karen Skillings, Mary Jo Flamm-Miller, and Bonnie Myers; numerous cousins, most notably Nina Cochenour with whom he spent many happy times; and his adoptive family, the management and staff of the Western Avenue Kroger's. In addition to his parents and a special cousin, Richard Cochenour, he was predeceased by an infant sister, Jill Mary Coppel, his dearest friend and mentor, Ernest Capretta who never once let him down.
The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:00 pm, Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at St. Peter Church, Rev. Frank Brown, Celebrant. Burial will follow in St. Margaret Cemetery. Calling hours will not be observed.
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