Helen I. Coplen, 88, of Mesa, Ariz., and formerly of Warsaw, Ind., passed away Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2014, at Banner Baywood Medical Center, Mesa, Ariz., after a recent illness.

Helen was born July 18, 1925, in Akron, Ind., to Wilbur Henry Landis and Alberta (Shafer) Landis. She was a 1943 graduate of Akron High School. She and Carl “Dean” Coplen were married Oct. 16, 1943.

Helen was a wonderful mother and housewife. She had the honor of having her four children at home for 29 years. She was a special mother and friend to all of them.

Helen was known for having the perfect house for the Landis family get-togethers. Her house was always open to friends and family.

Helen is survived by a daughter and son-in-law: Sandy (Jack) Moore, Mesa, Ariz.; two sons and daughters-in-law: Randy (Diane) Coplen, Wichita, Kan.; and John (Kathy) Coplen, Fort Wayne, Ind.; nine grandchildren: Mark Wiseman and Travis Wiseman, both of Mesa; Ryan Coplen and Michele Coplen, both of Searcy, Ark.; Andrea Coplen and Daniel Coplen, both of Fort Wayne; Marla Palmer, Mesa; Michelle Moore, Marion, Ind.; and Will Hilton, Hastings, Minn.; 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother: Don Landis, Hollywood, Fla.

She was preceded in death by her husband: Carl “Dean” Coplen; a son: Terry; her father: Wilbur Henry Landis; and mother and step father: Alberta and Harrison Perry; five brothers: Howard Landis, Will Landis, Bob Landis, Bud Landis and Dick Landis; and three sisters: Esther Smith, Vera Grant and Norma Wheeler.

Family and friends will gather for a time of sharing from 10 a.m. to noon Tuesday, Jan. 7, at Titus Funeral Home, Warsaw. A service celebrating the lives of Helen and Carl “Dean” will follow beginning at noon Monday in the funeral home. Pastor David Hummel of  Trinity United Methodist Church, of which both were members, will officiate.

The family has asked that gifts in memory of Dean and Helen be given to Baker Youth Club, 765 W. Market Street, Warsaw, IN 46580; or to La Bella Vita, c/o Aldrich Telan, 7515 Farmdale Road, Mesa, AZ 85208.

To sign the guest register or leave online condolences, visit the Titus Funeral Home website.