WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Lyle B. Hopkins, age 84, of Sturgis, Michigan and former Sturgis Police Chief, passed away Monday afternoon September 23, 2013 at his home.
He was born January 11, 1929 in Sturgis, Michigan son of the late John and Nellie (Sites) Hopkins.
Lyle was a lifelong Sturgis resident and a graduate of Sturgis High School with the class of 1947.
On September 6, 1966 he married Mary Hilgendorf in Sturgis.
Lyle served as a member of the Sturgis Police Department for 29 years, holding the position of Chief of Police from 1980 until his retirement in 1986. Prior to becoming a police officer he had been employed for six years at the General Tube Company and for four years at the Kirsch Company both in Sturgis.
He was a past member of the Michigan and National Chiefs of Police, Fraternal Order of Police and was a life member of the Traffic Institute of Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. For several years he was active in the Boy Scouts of America and earned the rank of Eagle Scout. Lyle enjoyed woodworking especially building furniture and tending to his small orchard and his garden.
He is survived by his loving wife of 47 years, Mary; their daughter: Karen (Joe) Miller of Bristol, Indiana; Lyle’s daughters: Gwen (Robert) Kryder of Colon and Susan (Tom) Hamilton of Sturgis; Lyle’s sons: Douglas (Cathy) Hopkins of Sturgis, Bruce Hopkins of Sturgis and David Hopkins of Nottawa; many grandchildren and great grandchildren; special granddaughter: Alicia Dell of Sturgis serving with the St. Joseph County Sherriff Department and special niece and nephew: Gloria Little of Pennsylvania and Fred Cokens of Indianapolis, Indiana.
He was preceded in death by his parents, son-in-law: Thomas Donaldson and infant great granddaughter.
In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 6:00 – 8:00 P.M. Monday at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Hackman Chapel, 114 S. Nottawa St., Sturgis, MI 49091, 269-651-2331. A memorial service celebrating the life of Lyle B. Hopkins will be held at 1:00 P.M. Tuesday at the Sturgis Evangelical Church, 29201 E. Fawn River Rd. in Sturgis. The Rev. Harold Miller associate pastor will officiate.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Hopkin’s memory consider Pet Haven, P.O. Box 853, Sturgis, MI 49091, Camp Fort Hill c/o: Sturgis Area Community Foundation, 301 Franks Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091 or Hospice of Sturgis, P.O. Box 126, Sturgis, MI 49091.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com where personal messages of support may be left for the family
