Township Planning chair dies from injuries

Les Kopka has been part of the Manchester community since his childhood (Mirror file photo).

Long-time Manchester Township Planning Commissioner Leslie A. Kopka passed away August 10 as a result of injuries suffered in an accident at his farm.

Kopka reportedly was mowing his lawn near a pond on the family property on VanTuyle Road Thursday morning, when the tractor overturned and went into the pond, pinning him underneath. Despite valiant rescue efforts by Manchester Township Fire Department, who responded to the incident, and Kopka died later that day after being transported to University of Michigan hospital via ambulance.

A 1970 graduate of Manchester High School, Kopka also was one of the original members as well as President of what started as the "Manchester Jaycees Fat Lamb Club." Over the years, many area youth have added to their college funds or started off a savings account thanks to the  Lamb Club, which is now an institution at the Manchester Community Fair. His father, Elmen Kopka, was an active Fair Board member for many years, and raised registered sheep at his farm south of Manchester.

Les Kopka had served for about 21 years on the Planning Commission and spent the majority of those years as its Chair. His work recently included helping in the completion of a joint Master Plan for Manchester Village and Manchester Township.

He leaves his wife of 34 years, Linda, his father, Elmen (Arita) Kopka of Flint; children, Sue Kopka of Adrian, Brett (Emily) Collins of Canton, Gina (David) Green of Saline, and Lori (Lee) Baird of saline; a sister, Karen (Larry) Bennett of Deckerville, MI; mother-in-law, Louise Janeway; ten grandchildren, and many aunts, uncles and cousins. Les was preceded in death by his mother, Jean, a son, Leslie A. Kopka, Jr. and his father-in-law, Rev. Seal Janeway.

Funeral services were held Monday at the United Church of Christ in Clinton.

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by Marsha Chartrand

Marsha Johnson Chartrand, a founder, writer, and copy editor with the Manchester Mirror, is a 50-year resident of Manchester. She has a long history of volunteer and community involvement.