Kelly Ann Coppert, age 11, of rural Maple Park, IL died suddenly Friday, March 11, 1994 of injuries she sustained in an auto accident. She was born January 24, 1983 in St. Charles, IL, the daughter of David and Katheryn (Ryan) Coppert.
The family made their home in St. Charles until 1988 when they moved to the present family home near Elburn.
Kelly began school at Kaneland in the fall of that year. She took baton twirling for a few years and piano for a time, and was a Girl Scout Brownie. Every inch a "girl", she loved to play dolls, to dress up and feel pretty and to rollerblade everywhere with her friends.
Kelly was an Honor Student in Kaneland's fifth grade class and loved to read. Everything from the "American Girl" collection to the Encyclopedia, she absorbed with avid interest. At school, she often would trade her own recess time for a chance to help a favorite teacher with the younger children.
She is survived by her parents and two siblings: Kevin (9) and Sarah (6); her maternal grandmother, Freda Ryan of St. Charles; paternal grandparents, Anna and Donald Coppert also of St. Charles; many aunts, uncles and cousins; a number of classmates and good friends and two very special pets, her German Shepherd, "Cody" and her hamster, "Hammy".
Her funeral mass will be held Wednesday at 10:30 a.m. from St. Gall Church in Elburn, Fr. Richard Paddock will officiate. She will be layed to rest near her maternal grandfather, William Ryan, who preceded her in death (1990).