Paul Dean Koplin, age 87, of Lincoln, formerly of Wayne, died Sunday, March 3, 2024.
Per Paul’s wishes, cremation will take place and a private burial with military rites at Greenwood Cemetery in Wayne will be held at a later date.
Arrangements are with Hasemann Funeral Home of Wayne.
Paul was born Dec. 29, 1936 in Randolph, to Alfred and Ruby (Schneider) Koplin. Graduating from Wayne High School in 1954, he proudly served in the United States Navy from 1955 to 1957 aboard the U.S.S. Frank E. Evans Destroyer DD754. On May 31, 1959, Paul married the love of his life, Gloria Pfeil, at Grace Lutheran Church in Wayne. They were blessed with one daughter, Paula. They owned and operated Koplin Auto Supply and Small Engine Sales/Service in Wayne for 42 years. After retirement in 2003, they moved to Lincoln. Paul cherished his family and enjoyed Nebraska Athletics, hunting, fishing, and woodcarving.
Survivors include one daughter, Paula (Jack) Williams and grandsons, Josh Williams and Joel Williams, of Lincoln; sister, Yvonne Darrow of LaPine, Oregon; sister-in-law, MaryBelle Pfeil of Elkhorn; niece,Tracy (Tom) Thompson of Gretna; nephew, Rex (Kris) Pfeil of Blair; and a cousin, Patricia Podoll of Fredericksburg, Texas.
He was preceded in death by his beloved wife, Gloria in 2016, parents; one sister, Wanda (Arnold) Tomasek; brothers-in-law, Reno Pfeil and Tom Darrow; a niece, Robyn Lockwood; nephews, Bruce, Bryan, and Brent Tomasek; parents-in-laws, Bill and Agnes (Feyerherm) Pfeil and sister-in-law, Rhea Pfeil.
