Mike Coponiti

Mike Coponiti was born on June 2, 1934, in Beckley, WV, to the parents of Domenick and Elizabeth (Pierangelica) Coponiti. He peacefully passed from this life on Sunday, October 5, 2025.

Mike spent his early years growing up in Beckley, WV, before joining the Army and was honorably discharged. He lived with family in Paramount, CA, where he met the love of his life, LaVerne I. Elder. They were married April 8, 1960, and celebrated 60 years of marriage. In 1971, they moved to Amber, OK, where they made a home and raised their children. Mike and LaVerne were founding members of SonRise Baptist Church in Chickasha, OK. Mike loved the Lord, and cherished his wife, family, and friends deeply. In 2013, Mike and LaVerne moved to Silver Elm Estate, in Norman, OK, and became members of Bethel Baptist Church. Mike was instrumental in revitalizing the Wednesday night bible study through the assistance of Brother Lee Gameros.

Mike’s entire life was centered around family and friends. He grew up involved in sports, competing as a ‘Golden Glove’ boxer, on company basketball teams, and golfing as often as possible. He spent time in his garden and teaching his daughter and sons how to care for plants and raise the animals they had on their property in Amber. He taught his family the value of working hard but, above all, to cherish time with family. He worked many years as a night postal worker in OKC, but he would wait until the last minute to leave so he could take in every last second of his children’s basketball or baseball games.

Mike was a recipient of a heart transplant in June 2000. He built a relationship with the donor family and we (as a family) can never fully express our gratitude to the donor family for the additional years they gave us with our father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend.

Survivors include his two sons, David L. Coponiti and wife Jennifer of Bloomfield, NM, and Michael ‘Mickey’ D. Coponiti and wife Laura of Chickasha, OK; three granddaughthers, Kaysee Jones and husband Matt of Amber, OK, Mariah Shelby of Bloomfield, NM, and Jordan Burridge and husband Greg of Bloomfield, NM; two grandsons, Cody Coponiti and husband Patrick Carlson of Alexandria, VA, and Kaleb Coponiti and wife Camille of Bloomfield, NM; great-granddaughters/sons, Kenzlee Jones, Koen Jones, Kasen Jones, Brandon Burridge, Carter Burridge, and Madison Burridge; sister Helen Garnetti of Airway Heights, WA; two brothers-in-law, Ivan L. Elder and wife Paulette of Edmond, OK, and Craig D. Elder and Cheryl of Verden, OK; special bonus son Roger Sloan and wife Beverly of Amber, OK; and extended family and friends who he loved deeply.

Mike was preceded in death by his loving bride, LaVerne I. (Elder) Coponiti; daughter, Cheryl L. Coponiti, his parents, and several of his brothers and sisters whom he loved dearly.

An intimate private gathering of immediate family will be held at Fairview Cemetery in Tuttle, OK. There will be no public services per his wishes.