Francis N. "Frank" Kopel II

Francis N. "Frank" Kopel II, beloved husband of Carolyn, passed away on November 30, 2014. He is survived by his wife, Carolyn Cochran Kopel; his mother, Margaret ( Adamson) Kopel; his children, Kendra (William "BJ") Jahn, Kelly (Michael) Cohlman, and Jason (Laura) Cochran; grandchildren, Jordy, Charles, Ruth, Matthew, Kyle, and Maxwell; siblings, Edward (Martina) Kopel, Karen (Dan) Bystrom, and Rick Kopel. Frank was the son-in-law of Louise Voigts, brother-in-law to Greg Voigts, Jeff (Karen) Voigts, Sherry (Brian) Friedman, and Lisa Leonard, uncle to Christina (Seth) Kopel, Ryan (Debbie) Hageman, Aaron (Kristen) Kopel, Ben (Nicole) Kopel, Sara Samolitis, Zelig Kopel, Tiffany (Jerry) Sullivan, Brittany (Korey) Lyons, Trevor (Laura) Leonard, Ryan (Alicia) Voigts, Adam Voigts, Lindsay and Alex Friedman; great-uncle, and dear friend, neighbor, and colleague to many. He was preceded in death by his father, Francis Kopel and father-in-law, Ralph Voigts. Frank was born on May 28, 1949 in Moline, Illinois and graduated from United Township High School in 1967. He studied political science at Southern Illinois University where he earned a bachelor's and a master's degree. As a member of the SIU parachuting club, the first twenty five times that he ever went up in an airplane he jumped. Frank's education continued at Washington University in Saint Louis where he achieved a second master's degree and completed doctoral coursework in municipal finance. His long and accomplished career included positions with the United States House of Representatives and thirty-five years with the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services. Frank was named Deputy Administrator of the Division of Finance in 2011. At the time of his retirement in December of 2012, Frank received the honor of an executive proclamation from the Governor of Illinois celebrating his dedication and contributions to the lives of millions of Illinois families. He continued to serve as a consultant to the Department until November of 2014. Frank will be remembered by all as a devoted and kind husband who traveled the world with Carolyn, a caring father who could answer any question, a playful and loving grandfather, a wonderful son, brother, and friend, and the attentive caretaker of Squeaky the cat and countless backyard birds and squirrels. His presence will be felt when we see an Indiana Jones hat, smell fresh coffee, tend our gardens, hear a dry yet witty joke or pass by Washington Park where he and Carolyn were married twenty-five years ago. He will be deeply missed by all who were fortunate to have known and loved him. Cremation will be accorded by Butler Cremation Tribute Center prior to ceremonies. Celebration of Life Ceremony: will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 7, 2014 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St., Springfield. Memorial Gathering: will begin immediately following the Celebration of Life at approximately 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Frank to the Central Illinois Food Bank, 1937 E. Cook St, P.O. Box 8228, Springfield, IL 62791.