Son of John Wesley Francis Coppage and Katherine McNally.
Husband of Ann Louise Pace, married on 21 June, 1941 in Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County, Arkansas.
Father of Michael Joseph Coppage, Jr., Patricia G. Coppage, and the late Terence R. Coppage.
Joe passed away at Incarnate Word Hospital following abdominal surgery. Member of the editorial staff of The Sporting News since 1952.
Prior to employment at the Sporting News, for 28 years had been a member of the now-defunct St Louis Star-Times. Took a job at the age of 14, and later graduated to the sports department. In the years that followed, made trips with both St Louis ball clubs, the Browns and the Cardinals, and his exceptional stories about the games made such a hit with the managing editor that he was “promoted” to the editorial department, where it was soon apparent, he was cut out for assignments wherever he was needed.
The story that actually earned him his advancement concerned Paul Dean, half of the Cardinal’s “Me and Paul” pitching combination of that era. “Everybody in the baseball world is concerned about Paul Dean’s arm,” the piece began. It related that Dizzy Dean's younger brother had revealed that his arm was bothering him and he expressed fear that his brilliant pitching days would soon be over.
With a copy of the sports page in his hand, the managing editor swept into the sports department and announced, "This story is getting more of a play all over the country than the troubled international situation. We need more stories like this in our news department and starting tomorrow Joe Coppage will be the man who will write them for us."
Served for several years on the City Hall, police courts, federal courts, and other daily "runs" and handled special assignments. Eventually wound up as paper's make-up editor.
Took it so hard when the Star-Times was sold on June 15, 1951, that he announced that he would never again enter a newspaper office. Took various jobs, and kept his word - for seven months - until J. G. Taylor Spink, the late publisher of The Sporting News, needed a replacement for one of his retiring editorial employees, sent for Joe and hired him on the spot.
As one of the associate editors, began writing minor league news, but advanced to the key desk dealing with noteworthy incidents and oddities in major league games. Edited obituary department for The Sporting News, a task that frequently required detailed research into the history and career records of departed old time players.
As a youth was active in tennis, wrestling, bowling, horseback riding, and swimming. In recent years, however, was handicapped by a crippling arthritic condition in his spine.
An avid baseball follower, managed to take his children to Cardinal games quite often. Aside from that, spent most of his hours listening to his radios including short wave, but mostly play-by-play reports from ballgames from whatever cities he could tune in.
Possessed with a fierce pride in his work, was quite disturbed when hospitalized with his fatal illness. He never lost a day of work due to sickness in 38 years, and didn't want to start then.
Biggest thrill as a member of the Base Ball Writers Association of America was, along with fellow staff writer, Ralph Ray, being among only five baseball writers in the Rookie of the Year Contest, sponsored by Topps Bubble Gum Co to correctly pick the identical rookie team selected by major league managers, players, and coaches in the fall of 1963. Would have been eligible to vote for player induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964 if he had survived.
(Obituary from The Sporting News, written by his best friend, Ray Gillespie.)
Solemn Requiem High Mass celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church in south St Louis, Mo.
A Kutis Funeral Homes Service
Coppage Michael J. Coppage "Joe". 4046 Potomac. Husband of Ann Coppage (nee Pace).
Father of Michael Jr., Patricia and Terence Coppage.
Brother of Al Coppage, Kathryn Ward, Margaret McClain and June Holtzmann.
Brother-in-law and uncle.
Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Member of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America.
Solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, Saint Louis, Mo.
A Kutis Funeral Home Service
Husband of Ann Louise Pace, married on 21 June, 1941 in Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County, Arkansas.
Father of Michael Joseph Coppage, Jr., Patricia G. Coppage, and the late Terence R. Coppage.
Joe passed away at Incarnate Word Hospital following abdominal surgery. Member of the editorial staff of The Sporting News since 1952.
Prior to employment at the Sporting News, for 28 years had been a member of the now-defunct St Louis Star-Times. Took a job at the age of 14, and later graduated to the sports department. In the years that followed, made trips with both St Louis ball clubs, the Browns and the Cardinals, and his exceptional stories about the games made such a hit with the managing editor that he was “promoted” to the editorial department, where it was soon apparent, he was cut out for assignments wherever he was needed.
The story that actually earned him his advancement concerned Paul Dean, half of the Cardinal’s “Me and Paul” pitching combination of that era. “Everybody in the baseball world is concerned about Paul Dean’s arm,” the piece began. It related that Dizzy Dean's younger brother had revealed that his arm was bothering him and he expressed fear that his brilliant pitching days would soon be over.
With a copy of the sports page in his hand, the managing editor swept into the sports department and announced, "This story is getting more of a play all over the country than the troubled international situation. We need more stories like this in our news department and starting tomorrow Joe Coppage will be the man who will write them for us."
Served for several years on the City Hall, police courts, federal courts, and other daily "runs" and handled special assignments. Eventually wound up as paper's make-up editor.
Took it so hard when the Star-Times was sold on June 15, 1951, that he announced that he would never again enter a newspaper office. Took various jobs, and kept his word - for seven months - until J. G. Taylor Spink, the late publisher of The Sporting News, needed a replacement for one of his retiring editorial employees, sent for Joe and hired him on the spot.
As one of the associate editors, began writing minor league news, but advanced to the key desk dealing with noteworthy incidents and oddities in major league games. Edited obituary department for The Sporting News, a task that frequently required detailed research into the history and career records of departed old time players.
As a youth was active in tennis, wrestling, bowling, horseback riding, and swimming. In recent years, however, was handicapped by a crippling arthritic condition in his spine.
An avid baseball follower, managed to take his children to Cardinal games quite often. Aside from that, spent most of his hours listening to his radios including short wave, but mostly play-by-play reports from ballgames from whatever cities he could tune in.
Possessed with a fierce pride in his work, was quite disturbed when hospitalized with his fatal illness. He never lost a day of work due to sickness in 38 years, and didn't want to start then.
Biggest thrill as a member of the Base Ball Writers Association of America was, along with fellow staff writer, Ralph Ray, being among only five baseball writers in the Rookie of the Year Contest, sponsored by Topps Bubble Gum Co to correctly pick the identical rookie team selected by major league managers, players, and coaches in the fall of 1963. Would have been eligible to vote for player induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964 if he had survived.
(Obituary from The Sporting News, written by his best friend, Ray Gillespie.)
Solemn Requiem High Mass celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church in south St Louis, Mo.
A Kutis Funeral Homes Service
Coppage Michael J. Coppage "Joe". 4046 Potomac. Husband of Ann Coppage (nee Pace).
Father of Michael Jr., Patricia and Terence Coppage.
Brother of Al Coppage, Kathryn Ward, Margaret McClain and June Holtzmann.
Brother-in-law and uncle.
Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Member of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America.
Solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, Saint Louis, Mo.
A Kutis Funeral Home Service
Son of John Wesley Francis Coppage and Katherine McNally.
Husband of Ann Louise Pace, married on 21 June, 1941 in Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County, Arkansas.
Father of Michael Joseph Coppage, Jr., Patricia G. Coppage, and the late Terence R. Coppage.
Joe passed away at Incarnate Word Hospital following abdominal surgery. Member of the editorial staff of The Sporting News since 1952.
Prior to employment at the Sporting News, for 28 years had been a member of the now-defunct St Louis Star-Times. Took a job at the age of 14, and later graduated to the sports department. In the years that followed, made trips with both St Louis ball clubs, the Browns and the Cardinals, and his exceptional stories about the games made such a hit with the managing editor that he was “promoted” to the editorial department, where it was soon apparent, he was cut out for assignments wherever he was needed.
The story that actually earned him his advancement concerned Paul Dean, half of the Cardinal’s “Me and Paul” pitching combination of that era. “Everybody in the baseball world is concerned about Paul Dean’s arm,” the piece began. It related that Dizzy Dean's younger brother had revealed that his arm was bothering him and he expressed fear that his brilliant pitching days would soon be over.
With a copy of the sports page in his hand, the managing editor swept into the sports department and announced, "This story is getting more of a play all over the country than the troubled international situation. We need more stories like this in our news department and starting tomorrow Joe Coppage will be the man who will write them for us."
Served for several years on the City Hall, police courts, federal courts, and other daily "runs" and handled special assignments. Eventually wound up as paper's make-up editor.
Took it so hard when the Star-Times was sold on June 15, 1951, that he announced that he would never again enter a newspaper office. Took various jobs, and kept his word - for seven months - until J. G. Taylor Spink, the late publisher of The Sporting News, needed a replacement for one of his retiring editorial employees, sent for Joe and hired him on the spot.
As one of the associate editors, began writing minor league news, but advanced to the key desk dealing with noteworthy incidents and oddities in major league games. Edited obituary department for The Sporting News, a task that frequently required detailed research into the history and career records of departed old time players.
As a youth was active in tennis, wrestling, bowling, horseback riding, and swimming. In recent years, however, was handicapped by a crippling arthritic condition in his spine.
An avid baseball follower, managed to take his children to Cardinal games quite often. Aside from that, spent most of his hours listening to his radios including short wave, but mostly play-by-play reports from ballgames from whatever cities he could tune in.
Possessed with a fierce pride in his work, was quite disturbed when hospitalized with his fatal illness. He never lost a day of work due to sickness in 38 years, and didn't want to start then.
Biggest thrill as a member of the Base Ball Writers Association of America was, along with fellow staff writer, Ralph Ray, being among only five baseball writers in the Rookie of the Year Contest, sponsored by Topps Bubble Gum Co to correctly pick the identical rookie team selected by major league managers, players, and coaches in the fall of 1963. Would have been eligible to vote for player induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964 if he had survived.
(Obituary from The Sporting News, written by his best friend, Ray Gillespie.)
Solemn Requiem High Mass celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church in south St Louis, Mo.
A Kutis Funeral Homes Service
Coppage Michael J. Coppage "Joe". 4046 Potomac. Husband of Ann Coppage (nee Pace).
Father of Michael Jr., Patricia and Terence Coppage.
Brother of Al Coppage, Kathryn Ward, Margaret McClain and June Holtzmann.
Brother-in-law and uncle.
Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Member of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America.
Solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, Saint Louis, Mo.
A Kutis Funeral Home Service
Husband of Ann Louise Pace, married on 21 June, 1941 in Walnut Ridge, Lawrence County, Arkansas.
Father of Michael Joseph Coppage, Jr., Patricia G. Coppage, and the late Terence R. Coppage.
Joe passed away at Incarnate Word Hospital following abdominal surgery. Member of the editorial staff of The Sporting News since 1952.
Prior to employment at the Sporting News, for 28 years had been a member of the now-defunct St Louis Star-Times. Took a job at the age of 14, and later graduated to the sports department. In the years that followed, made trips with both St Louis ball clubs, the Browns and the Cardinals, and his exceptional stories about the games made such a hit with the managing editor that he was “promoted” to the editorial department, where it was soon apparent, he was cut out for assignments wherever he was needed.
The story that actually earned him his advancement concerned Paul Dean, half of the Cardinal’s “Me and Paul” pitching combination of that era. “Everybody in the baseball world is concerned about Paul Dean’s arm,” the piece began. It related that Dizzy Dean's younger brother had revealed that his arm was bothering him and he expressed fear that his brilliant pitching days would soon be over.
With a copy of the sports page in his hand, the managing editor swept into the sports department and announced, "This story is getting more of a play all over the country than the troubled international situation. We need more stories like this in our news department and starting tomorrow Joe Coppage will be the man who will write them for us."
Served for several years on the City Hall, police courts, federal courts, and other daily "runs" and handled special assignments. Eventually wound up as paper's make-up editor.
Took it so hard when the Star-Times was sold on June 15, 1951, that he announced that he would never again enter a newspaper office. Took various jobs, and kept his word - for seven months - until J. G. Taylor Spink, the late publisher of The Sporting News, needed a replacement for one of his retiring editorial employees, sent for Joe and hired him on the spot.
As one of the associate editors, began writing minor league news, but advanced to the key desk dealing with noteworthy incidents and oddities in major league games. Edited obituary department for The Sporting News, a task that frequently required detailed research into the history and career records of departed old time players.
As a youth was active in tennis, wrestling, bowling, horseback riding, and swimming. In recent years, however, was handicapped by a crippling arthritic condition in his spine.
An avid baseball follower, managed to take his children to Cardinal games quite often. Aside from that, spent most of his hours listening to his radios including short wave, but mostly play-by-play reports from ballgames from whatever cities he could tune in.
Possessed with a fierce pride in his work, was quite disturbed when hospitalized with his fatal illness. He never lost a day of work due to sickness in 38 years, and didn't want to start then.
Biggest thrill as a member of the Base Ball Writers Association of America was, along with fellow staff writer, Ralph Ray, being among only five baseball writers in the Rookie of the Year Contest, sponsored by Topps Bubble Gum Co to correctly pick the identical rookie team selected by major league managers, players, and coaches in the fall of 1963. Would have been eligible to vote for player induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1964 if he had survived.
(Obituary from The Sporting News, written by his best friend, Ray Gillespie.)
Solemn Requiem High Mass celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church in south St Louis, Mo.
A Kutis Funeral Homes Service
Coppage Michael J. Coppage "Joe". 4046 Potomac. Husband of Ann Coppage (nee Pace).
Father of Michael Jr., Patricia and Terence Coppage.
Brother of Al Coppage, Kathryn Ward, Margaret McClain and June Holtzmann.
Brother-in-law and uncle.
Fortified with the Sacraments of Holy Mother Church. Member of the Baseball Writers Assn. of America.
Solemn Requiem High Mass was celebrated at Holy Family Catholic Church, Saint Louis, Mo.
A Kutis Funeral Home Service
