WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Irene Hopkins, age 91, of Sturgis, Michigan passed away early Saturday evening September 22, 2012 at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
She was born October 19, 1920 in Portland, Indiana a daughter of the late Charles E. and Rachel (McBride) Jellison.
Irene resided her entire life in the Sturgis area including 39 years at Klinger Lake and was a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1938.
On July 9, 1941 she married Richard A. Hopkins in St. Louis, Missouri.
Irene had been employed by the Kirsch Company in Sturgis, the Northwestern Bank in St. Louis, Missouri, in the finance department of the U.S. Air Force in Fairbanks, Alaska, was a record librarian at the Sturgis Hospital and was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother.
Mrs. Hopkins was an active longtime member of the First Baptist Church in Sturgis where she served on many boards and committees and for several years served as a Cub Scout Den Mother. She was a real fan of sports especially the Notre Dame Fighting Irish and Tiger Woods. Her incredible cooking and baking will be missed. Some of her specialties included her chocolate chip cookies, Texas sheet cake and homemade noodles. While living at the lake she enjoyed being in and on the water, boating, swimming and water skiing. Irene had many involvements and hobbies but what she truly loved and cherished was time she was surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her loving and dedicated husband of 72 years, Richard; one son: Gregory (Susan) Hopkins of Sturgis; one daughter: Sandra K. (Craig) Brueck of Centreville; two grandchildren: Linsey (Jerome) Wolff of Sturgis and Ryan (Samantha) Brueck of Centreville; two great grandchildren: Ella Wolff and Gavin Brueck; sister-in-law: Shirley Jellison of Cedarville; special friends: Phyllis Hamilton of Coloma, California and Frank Bigelow of Denver, Colorado and several nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents; two sisters: Pauline E. Losinski and Vivian Jellison and two brothers: Everett T. Jellison and Charles M. “Mort” Jellison.
In accordance with her wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial service celebrating the life of Irene Hopkins will be held at 11:00 A.M. Friday at the First Baptist Church in Sturgis. The Rev. James Bender will officiate. Private burial of the ashes will take place at Oak Lawn Cemetery in Sturgis at a later date.
The Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331 is entrusted with the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Hopkins’ memory consider the First Baptist Church, 1050 Fawn River Rd., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Hospice of Sturgis, P.O. Box 126, Sturgis, MI 49091.
