July 27, 1930 - Sept. 17, 2008

JoAnn Semmel, 78, of Albany left us to be with the Lord on Wednesday.

She was born in Genoa, Neb., to Lester and Bernice Pirrie, the middle child of three children. The family moved to the Cody, Wyo., area when she was 5 years old. She spent most of her younger years there.

She married Frank Copeland in 1946 and had two children. She and Frank were later divorced. She began working for Mountain States Telephone & Telegraph in Lauder, Wyo., and later transferred to Salem. She also worked as a switchboard operator for the State of Oregon welfare office in Albany. Her pleasant voice and social demeanor made her a valued employee.

Upon marrying Robert Semmel in 1972, they moved to Pennsylvania for seven years. They returned to Oregon in 1981 and her husband attended Multnomah Bible School in Portland. They moved back to Albany in 1983 and began serving as a lay pastoral team at Camlu Residential for 16 years, until 1999.

Her many talents in the Lord's service included writing several hymns and leading songs at services. She was an avid gardener and loved to watch and feed birds. Her crocheting skills were evidenced by the numerous doilies and tablecloths she made.

She is survived by husband Robert; two children, Diane Copeland of Salem and Dan Copeland of Eugene; three stepchildren, Robin Wise of Corvallis, and Kevin and Keith Semmel of Albany; two grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by brother Bill Pirrie and sister Sharon Lofton.

Funeral arrangements are being handled by Twin Oaks Funeral Home in Albany. Memorial contributions may be made to Benton Hospice, 2350 N.W. Professional Drive, Corvallis, OR 97330.

A celebration of her life will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 4 at the Calvary Community Church in Albany. "Join us there."