Date Of Birth: July 28, 1920
Date Of Death: June 6, 2009
Lillian Ironside Koppin, age 88, went to be with her Lord on Friday, June 6, 2009 in Indianapolis. Born in Berkeley, CA in 1920, she was the daughter of the late Dr. H.A. Ironside, former pastor of The Moody Memorial Church in Chicago, IL and author of over 70 Christian books and Bible commentaries.She received a Bachelor’s Degree from Wheaton College in music and was a member of the Women’s Glee Club. She later studied voice under Dr. Monico at the American Music Conservatory in Chicago.Lillian was the soprano soloist with Sunday School of the Air on WIBC in the 1950’s. She was also soloist at East 31st Street Baptist Church with Pastor Robert McCarthy and later at Devington and Castleview Baptist Churches. She sang with the Youth for Christ Choir and other choral groups throughout the city of Indianapolis.She taught Weekday Religious Education to public school students for many years. She also enjoyed working with students in the library at Moorhead Elementary School in Warren Township.Lillian was an active Church Librarian for many years and received the Church Librarian of the Year Award by the Church & Synagogue Library Association in 2001. She became a national and local officer in this association. She conducted many library workshops in churches and was also a member of the Evangelical Library Association in Wheaton, IL.A committed member of Castleview Baptist she served as Sunday School Superintendent, a member of the Missions and Christian Education Boards and a member of the choir. She enjoyed serving God in many varied roles.As an avid sailor at the Indianapolis Sailing Club, she served on the Race Committee for many years. She was also a member of the Indianapolis Cruising Club sailing the Virgin Islands, Bahamas and Belize. She and her husband, Gilbert helped to start the National Y Flyer fleet at the Indianapolis Sailing Club. They were truly blest as they had the opportunity to travel to Europe, China, Alaska and Great Britain.For 20 years she served as a Republican Party Ward Chairman in Marion County and was presented with the Lawrence Township GOP Volunteer of the Year Award.Lillian is survived by her sons, Gordon, John and David; four grandchildren, Gordon, Marjorie, Matthew, and Benjamin; and two great grandchildren, Lillian and William.Visitation will be Sunday, June 21 from 2 to 7 p.m. at Harry W. Moore Funeral Care, 8151 Allisonville Rd, Indianapolis. Funeral service will be Monday, June 22 at 10:30 a.m. at Castleview Baptist Church, 8601 Hague Rd, Indianapolis with interment to follow at Oaklawn Memorial Park.
Martha L Niehaus says
John, Michelle and the Koppin families —you have my sympathy and prayers. It is not easy to let go of ’Mom’. In time, so many things that you see and do will make you smile and think of her.
Martha Niehaus at PSC
Howard and Mary King says
Lillian and Gil were a couple of our most Treasured Friends at the Sailing Club and we want to express our deepest sympathy in the loss of your Mother and our dear friend. For so many years she was such a large part of our sailing experience and we always looked forward to a chat with her as she had such varied interests and was a great conversationalist. What a lovely woman!
Joyce S Allen says
I am honored to celebrate the life and homegoing of my dear friend, Lillian. For years, she and I traveled the highways and skyways to meetings of the Church and Synagogue Library Association. Heaven is rejoicing over her trip to her eternal home. My prayers are with her family and friends.
Evelyn Pockrass says
My sincerest condolences to Lillian’s family on the loss of their beloved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Lillian was always such a joy to be with and an inspiration for all who knew her locally and nationally in the Church and Synagogue Library Association. She had a special spirit and drive that encouraged all of us to be better librarians and better people. We will miss her smile, her laughter, her love of life. We are all blessed for having known Lillian Koppin.
Dean Jan Willman says
John and Michelle – Our thoughts and prayers have been with you and your family since hearing about John’s mother. We know what it feels like to be rejoicing that she is with the Lord and yet to be feeling such a keen loss. We know she will live on in your hearts because of the wonderful memories you’ve created.
Robert Ford Porter says
Lillian Koppin was a frequent guest soloist at the Lifegate Baptist Church, Indianapolis, especially during the tenure of Dr. Herbert Pugmire, pastor of our church, who was an associaate pastor with Dr. Ironsides and knew Lillian very well. My father’s WIBC radio broadcast (Ford Porter) followed the program by the 31st Street Baptist Church. As the personnel switched places, Lillian and I chatted for a few seconds each week in the sound-lock between the studio and hallway. After several years we had developed a warm and cherished friendship with Gilbert and Lillian Koppin outside of the sound-lock. They were very precious people and my memories of Lillian are filled with many special blessings.
James Linda Herreman says
Lillian was a wonderful, special person in so many ways. Lil & Gil went together like a pair of salt & pepper shakers. It was an honor to know both of them. We miss them dearly.
David Kehlenbrink says
John and Koppin families, you are in my thoughts and paryers. I know the loss of a parent leaves a viod that can never be filled. My prayer is that you will receive comfort from the knowledge and gift of your mom’s remarkable and blessed life.