Sondra Baril Kopsky

She was born on May 30,1934 in Grand Tower, IL. The eldest of six children, the daughter of the late Raymond "Red" Baril and Dorothy (nee Dudenbostel) Baril.

She graduated from Trico High School and Southern Illinois University Carbondale, with a degree in Business Education, and later SIUE with a Secondary Counseling Degree. Sandy was a devoted High School Business teacher and Guidance Counselor in the Granite City School District for over 35 years, retiring in 1993. After retiring, Sandy continued to work as a Guidance Counselor for Livingston School District. Her special commitment to students touched thousands of lives.

She had a love for animals and nature, but her greatest joy was spending time with her family and granddaughters Alexandra, Dorothea and Nadia.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband of 58 years, Harvey Kopsky, whom she married on November 24, 1957, at Nativity of the Virgin Mary Orthodox Church in Madison, IL; and two brothers, Joel (Jody) Baril, and David Baril.

She is survived by her son Damon Kopsky (Patty) Glen Carbon, IL; daughter DeAnna (nee Kopsky) Gobble (Greg) Swansea, IL; her most beloved granddaughters: Alexandra Mueller, Dorothea Mueller, Nadia Mueller, and her special bonus granddaughters Maddison Gobble and McKinlee Gobble; sisters: Nancy Bridges (The Villages, FL) and Bonnye Clugston (Carbondale, IL); brother Steve (Noni) Baril (Murphysboro, IL); sister-in-law, Paula Baril; and many special nieces and nephews.

She will live on in our hearts and with all who loved her. Sandy was a member of the Presbyterian faith.

A gathering to honor Sondra will take place on Monday, December 1, 2025, at Lake View Funeral Home, located at 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, IL 62208.

For those wishing to attend services, the family is requesting guests arrive no later than 11 am.

Burial will take place following services at Lake View Memorial Gardens, also located at 5000 North Illinois Street, Fairview Heights, IL, 62208.

Memorial Donations may be made to WashU Medicine Memory Diagnostic Center.