WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
LAWRENCE GILES “LARRY” HOPKINS, age 92, of White Pigeon, Michigan passed
away Saturday morning January 2, 2009 at the Sturgis Hospital.
He was born August 4, 1917 in Delavan, Illinois a son to the late Robert
and Linnie Lue (Giles) Hopkins.
Mr. Hopkins grew up on the farm where he was born and graduated from
Delavan High School. He continued his education at the University of
Illinois where he graduated with a degree in Agriculture Economics.
On March 25, 1939 he married Onalee Marshall Hopkins in LaSalle,
Illinois. She died January 14, 2009.
He and Onalee lived in a variety of communities in Illinois where he
worked for various agriculture governmental lending agencies. In 1955
they moved to Otsego, Michigan where he assumed the position of branch
manager for the First National Bank and Trust Company of Kalamazoo. In
December of 1955, the family moved to Sturgis where he has lived since
that time. In Sturgis he served in different capacities including vice
president, executive vice president, and president of the Citizens State
Bank and later Bank One. He also served as chairman of the board of the
bank until he retired in 1987.
Larry was an active member of many community organizations. Some of
those include: the Sturgis Rotary Club, First Presbyterian Church, the
Sturgis Hospital Board, Chamber of Commerce Board, Klinger Lake Country
Club plus other boards and organizations where he served as president,
vice president and treasurer.
He enjoyed travel, playing golf and bridge, keeping up with friendships
and current events as well as taking great pride in his family.
He is survived by one son, Randall (Pamela) Hopkins of Madison,
Wisconsin, three grandsons; Jonathan (Kristen) Hopkins of South
Burlington, Vermont, Gregory (Taura) Hopkins of Walla Walla, Washington
and Lawrence Gale Hopkins of Eugene, Oregon, 4 great grandchildren,
Arwen Elizabeth, Milo Giles, Nathaniel Lynn, Jude, Henry and Theodore,
one brother; Stephen (Helen) Hopkins of Delavan, Illinois,
daughter-in-law, Susan Gale Hopkins of Walla Walla, Washington,
sister-in-law; Donald (Glennlyn “Lindy” Marshall) Huling of Peru,
Illinois and brother-in-law, William Coleman of Boulder, Colorado and
many nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, one son; Marshall
Lawrence Hopkins, brother, Robert Hopkins and sister, Elizabeth Coleman.
In accordance with his wishes cremation has taken place. A memorial
service celebrating the life of Lawrence Hopkins will be held at 11:00
A.M. Monday, March 15, 2010 at the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis.
The Rev. Michael Wicks will officiate. Burial of the ashes will take
place at the Prairie Rest Cemetery in Delavan, Illinois at a later date.
The *Hackman Family Funeral Homes – Hackman Chapel of Sturgis* is
handling the arrangements.
The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr.
Hopkins’ memory consider the Sturgis Foundation, 310 N. Franks Ave.,
Sturgis, MI 49091.
The obituary is also at www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com
<http://www.hackmanfamilyfuneralhome.com/> where personal messages of support may be left for the family.
