Ethel Marie Cupek, 91, Played piano with many big bands of 30's and 40's in Vermilion
Ethel Marie Cupek, (nee Schmitz), 91, of Sheffield Township, died Tuesday, May 27, 2003 of congestive heart failure at her home. Born in Cleveland, Ohio on November 30, 1911, she was a life long resident of Sheffield Township.A child prodigy she studied and played piano mostly by ear at a very early age. She played with many of the big bands of the 1930's and early 1940's at Crystal Beach Ballroom, in Vermilion.
She was an active member of Zion Lutheran Church, Lorain, for over 50 years. She loved nature, traveling, and was an avid gardener. She also enjoyed music and loved animals.
She is survived by her daughter, Janet Dickinson, of Nantucket, Massachusetts, a son James A. of Sheffield Township, two grandsons and three great granddaughters.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 65 years, Fred "Fritz", in 1995, her infant son Frederick, in 1931, and son, Robert, in 2001, and her parents, Joseph J. Schmitz, and Mary (nee Bordo) Schmitz.
The family will receive friends on Friday, May 30, 2003 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. in the Dovin Funeral Home, 2701 Elyria Ave., Lorain, where a short prayer service will be begin on Saturday at 9:30 a.m. followed by funeral services at 10:00 a.m. at Zion Lutheran Church, 5100 Ashland Avenue, Lorain. Rev. Kevin Saylor, pastor, will officiate. Burial will follow in Ridge Hill Memorial Park, Amherst Township.