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Irene I. Hopkins, age 91, of Sturgis, passed away early Saturday evening, Sept. 22, 2012, at Thurston Woods Village in Sturgis.
She was born Oct. 19, 1920, in Portland, Ind., 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, Mo.
Irene had been employed by Kirsch Company in Sturgis, the Northwestern Bank in St. Louis, in the finance department of the U.S. Air Force in Fairbanks, Alaska, was a record librarian at Sturgis Hospital and was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.
Mrs. Hopkins was an active, longtime member of First Baptist Church in Sturgis, where she served on many boards and committees and for several years served as a Cub Scouts 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; a son, Gregory (Susan) Hopkins of Sturgis; a 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; a sister-in-law, Shirley Jellison of Cedarville; special friends Phyllis Hamilton of Coloma, Calif., and Frank Bigelow of Denver; 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. The family will receive friends from 10-10:45 a.m. Friday at First Baptist Church in Sturgis.
A memorial service celebrating the life of Irene Hopkins will begin at 11 a.m. Friday at the church.
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, is entrusted with arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mrs. Hopkins’ memory consider the First Baptist Church, 1050 Fawn River Road, Sturgis, MI 49091 or Hospice of Sturgis, P.O. Box 126, Sturgis, MI 49091.
Her obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com, where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
