Charles Leo Hopper, age 78, of Northlake, IL, passed away on January 2, 2018.
Services will be held Sunday, January 21, 2018, at Lutheran Church of the Master, 580 Kuhn Road, Carol Stream, IL 60188, at 2:00 pm with a gathering after at the Service.
Charles was born in Shawneetown, IL to John William Hopper and Rosena Evelyn Danielson McKinney.
Charles has 13 siblings, John Willian Hopper, Donald Hopper, Everett McKinney, Joseph McKinney, George McKinney, Mark McKinney, Oakley Wayne McKinney, Victoria Highsmith, Dora Mae Miles, and Pat Vestal. He was preceded in death by, Linda Lou Hopper, Leonard Ray Hopper, and Loretta Faye Hopper Shutts.
He was preceded in death by wives Norma Jean Yarbrough, Jane Irene Goodman, and Virginia (Jean) Ann Donichy.
With Norma –
He was blessed with 2 children: Sherry (Nick) Caudill and Samantha (Phil) Sundeen.
5 Grandchildren William (Nicole) Caudill, Karisa (Jared) Caudill, Erika Tennison, Charles (Tara) Tennison, and Katelyn Sundeen.
2 ½ Great Grandchildren Rose Caudill, Billy Caudill and Baby Tennison due 7/28/18.
With Jane –
He was blessed with her 2 children: Mark (Doris) Fairbanks and Kim Neri.
Grandchild Daniel (Angela) Fairbanks. Preceded in death Janie I.J. Neri.
Great Grandchild Danny Fairbanks
With Jean –
He was blessed with her 8 children: John Collins, Don Donichy, Kenneth Donichy, Katherine Magrady, and Karen Rochford. Preceded in death Don, Kenneth, and Karen.
22 Grandchildren: Michael Hettinger, Dan Collins, Megan Collins, Tara Donichy, Tony Donichy, Andy Donichy, Rachelle Trevino, Rebecca Corrales, Shannon Barron, Rey Donichy, Roni Magrady, Amanda Magrady, Katherine Porzel, James Magrady, Anna Magrady, Isaac Magrady, Richard Magrady, Hope Magrady, Phillip Bryant, Joanne Rochford, Michelle Drones, and Michael Rochford.
And, 41 Great Grandchildren.
He loved Jesus, the Bible and learning its truth, his church - Philadelphia Church of God, his children and all that came with it. Loved his Mother, Grandfather and Tinker his dog.
He learned the ways of farming and bee keeping. Charles had polio when he was 6 and couldn’t walk. Yet he overcame it like so many other challenges in life.
His life was cars and being a mechanic. Later in life construction foreman and property caretaker were added to life’s resume. And, in the last few years – a retired tinker. He could work on almost anything and fix it.
My Dad hadn’t been in my life since 1997. We all went on with lives the best we knew how. In 2014, my niece Katelyn wanted to meet her Grandfather. My sister started searching and found Aunt Loretta, in April 2014, and in turn found Dad. He was living in Sharon Grove, KY and Jean, his 3rd wife had cancer and was not doing well. Jean passed away in May. Sam invited him to her house for her 50th Birthday Party in August 2015 - Reconnecting was awesome.
My Dad came to live with Nick and I the middle of July 2017. At first I didn’t know what to think. He showed up at my door and chose not to leave. This change in my life became an opportunity to develop a true relationship with him. Something I didn’t have for a very long time. If you asked him how he was feeling he would say “With my hands (or fingers).” His morning greeting was “Good Morning this Morning. What a Good Morning it is this Morning.” He would call me “Kid” or “My First Born.” I saw a few habits in him that I see in Nick. They say you marry someone like your father. In my case it's true. Neither one likes to just chill. They both need to keep themselves busy.
Favorites Foods:
Coffee, Green Tea, Beef Sandwich w/ hot Gardiner, Baked Beans, Popcorn, Toast w/PB & J, Chocolate Donuts, and a couple of beers once or twice a week. And, anything Nick made for dinner and almost always went back for seconds.
Guestbook