Elva May Kopplin

April 18, 1926 – October 2, 2025

Elva May Kopplin, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and friend, passed away peacefully on October 2, 2025, in Menifee, California, at the age of 99.

Born on April 18, 1926, in Waynesville, Ohio, Elva was the daughter of Henry and Ella Westerman. She was preceded in birth by her older sister, Ellen, who tragically passed away one month before Elva’s birth. Fifteen months later, her younger sister Henrietta (“Etta”) was born.

Elva spent most of her childhood on a farm in Waynesville, Ohio. At the age of 10, her family moved to Los Angeles, California. She attended Gardena High School and later worked for six years at Occidental Life Insurance.

Elva had known Fred Kopplin, Jr., the son of family friends, since she was young. Though he was eight years her senior, their paths aligned in a new way after his return from serving five years in World War II. Elva had grown into a beautiful young woman, and their friendship blossomed into love. They were married in 1948, building a life together in South Gate, California.

Together, Elva and Fred raised two children, Kristine and James. Elva was a devoted mother who took great joy in being involved in her children's lives. She served as a PTA President and co-leader of Kristine’s Camp Fire Girls group. She worked at Bryson Elementary and an Instructional Aide at South Gate High School, both schools her children attended.

Elva and Fred moved to Menifee, California in 1993, to be closer to their daughter and her family. Elva enjoyed attending her granddaughters’ school and community events, including band performances and watching them in local parades twirling a baton or riding a horse.

A woman of quiet faith and generous spirit, Elva and Fred were active in the Murrieta United Methodist Church, where they found community and friendship. She will be remembered for her warmth, kindness, and the gentle strength with which she lived her life.

Elva was preceded in death by her husband of 69 years, Fred Kopplin, Jr., her parents Henry and Ella Westerman, and her sisters Ellen and Etta. She is survived by her loving children, Kristine (Gary) and James, and her cherished granddaughters, Jennifer (Melissa) and Elizabeth (Daniel).