Ionia County MI Archives Obituaries.....Hopkins, Robert J. 2007
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Marilyn Ransom mlnransom@chartermi.net September 1, 2010, 7:48 pm

The Ionia Sentinel-Standard, Friday, December 7, 2007


Robert J. Hopkins, of Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., formerly of Ionia, passed away 
at Metron of Big Rapids where he lived for the last 18 months. Robert suffered 
from a long history of medical problems.

Robert was born the son of F.J. "Jack" and Mural (Kenny) Hopkins. He and his 
brother, Dick, spent the greatest part of their childhood with their 
grandparents, Edith and Arthur Hopkins. He attended Welch Country School in 
Ionia through the seventh grade, graduated from Ionia High School in 1959 and 
Spring Arbor College, graduating in 1965 with a degree in teaching. Just out 
of college, he worked as a house parent in a children's' home in Woodstock, 
Ill. He was a Junior High Special Education teacher and basketball coach. He 
started employment with the Michigan Department of Corrections in 1967, where 
he worked as a teacher and counselor until his retirement in 1994. During that 
time he also coached the girl's junior and varsity basketball teams in 
Pickford, Mich. Robert played in leagues for bowling, slow and fast pitch 
softball, golf and basketball. He was involved with caring for foster 
children, was in Big Brothers and was a volunteer for the "Mary Free Bed 
Hospital". He attended church regularly. Robert was an avid hunter of deer and 
bear. He favored tent camping, canoeing and fishing in Canada.

In later years he could be found at the movie theater or having coffee at a 
place he referred to as having a "very kind staff" - Taco Bell.

Robert J. Hopkins is survived by his sons, Scott R. Hopkins of Cadillac, David 
R. Hopkins of the U.S. Army and Rick J. Burton of Traverse City; two 
daughters, Laura "Gina" Hopkins of St. Louis Park, Minn. and Brenda Schuman of 
Minnesota, as well as two granddaughters, Haley and Ashton. Robert is also 
survived by his siblings, Dick "Jerry" Hopkins of Belmont, Wayne Elzey of 
Brookville, Ind., Dennis Hopkins of Coldwater, Harold Goodwin of Clare, 
Russell Kenny, Pat Kann of Empire, Judy Rooney of Lyons, Cynthia Ruels of 
Ionia and Shirley Goodwin of Luther.

Robert was preceded in death by his parents and also Ron Goodwin.

Visitation will be held at Hovie Funeral Home in Sault Ste. Marie, Mich., on 
Thursday Dec. 6, 2007 from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. Funeral services will be on 
Friday Dec. 7, 2007 at 11 a.m. with visiting one hour prior to the service. 
Burial will be at Fairview Cemetery in Pickford. Donations will be accepted 
and given to Hospice of Michigan in place of memorials.



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