Earl Dean Cope, 74, of Holden, Missouri, died Friday, June, 15, at John Knox Hospice House in Lee’s Summit, Missouri.

Funeral services were 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, at Williams Funeral Chapel in Holden, with Rev. Charles Brant officiating. Interment followed at the Holden Cemetery with military honors provided by Veterans of Foreign Wars, memorial post 5844; Munday-Hancock post 90, American Legion and United States Army Honor Guard. Pallbearers were Todd Cope, Stephen Cope, Todd Thorell, Jonathan Thorell, Devon Holland, Brandon Cope, Anthonee Cope and Steven Miranda.

Earl was born Dec. 15, 1943, near Republican City, Nebraska; son of Stephen Duane Cope and Esther Mahala (McGinty) Cope.

He served in the United States Army. He was united in marriage to Evonne G. Ashley on Feb. 7, 1963, at Hastings, Nebraska. The family would eventually reside at Holdredge, Nebraska; Alma, Nebraska; Peculiar, Missouri; and Raymore, Missouri, prior to moving to Holden in 2001.

He was an automotive technician by trade. Earl was a former member of the Elks Lodge in Holdrege, Nebraska. He enjoyed demolition derbies and dirt track racing with his kids and grand-kids.

Survivors include his wife, Evonne; two daughters, Robin (Todd) Thorell of Holden and Amy (Joseph) Enke of Kansas City, Missouri; two sons, Todd (Amy) Cope of Archie, Missouri, and Stephen Cope of Holden; sister, Glenna Badger of Okina, Washington; brother, Donnie Cope of Wenatchee, Washington; nine grandchildren, Jeffrey Thorell of Farmington, Missouri; Jonathan (Carrie) Thorell of Harrisonville, Missouri; Brandon (Casey) Cope of Peculiar, Missouri; Kyle Cope of Butler, Missouri; Steven (Jill) Miranda of Grain Valley, Missouri; Anthonee Cope of Holden; Teyler Cope of Warrensburg; Devon Holland of Kansas City and Emilie Enke of Kansas City; and seven great grandchildren. Earl was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Eloise McCallum and brother, Bobby Cope.

A memorial fund will be established.

Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.