Charles J. Hopkins' Obituary
Charles J. Hopkins, 92 years, of Columbia, IL, passed away on January 24, 2019. He was born November 18, 1926, in East St. Louis, IL, son of the late Clyde and Teresa, nee Gribbin, Hopkins. He was married to Evelyn, nee Theis, Hopkins, who survives him. They were married November 20, 1948, in Granite City, IL.
Charles was a member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL. He had retired as an Iron Worker and was a member of Iron Workers' Local 392, where he had served for 21 yrs. as financial secretary and treasurer. Charlie had served in the U.S. Navy and was a Veteran of WW II. He was a gifted baseball player, and had played with the St. Louis Browns organization for 9 yrs. before retiring in 1955. He then returned to East St. Louis as an outstanding baseball player. His fond memories and stories of his baseball career made for great listening.
Surviving are two sons, John (Margaret) Hopkins of Alton, IL, and James J. Hopkins of Waterloo, IL, daughter, Marie A. Hopkins of Columbia, IL; 11 grandchildren, and 13 great-grandchildren, along with other relatives and friends.
He was also preceded in death by five sisters, Mary Boyce, Rose Ann Derfler, Mary Teresa Hopkins, Eileen Butler, and Marilyn Mitchell; and four brothers, Edward, Francis, Thomas, and Raymond Hopkins.
Visitation will be Sunday, January 27, 2019, 3:00 pm - 7:00 pm, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Columbia, IL, and Monday, January 28, 2019, 9:00 am - 9:45 am, at the church. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday January 28, at 10:00 am, at the church, with Fr. Carl Scherrer, officiating. Interment will follow in the Evangelical St. Paul Cemetery, Columbia, IL.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to: Eugene Schorb - Immaculate Conception School Education Fund, 117 W. Madison, Columbia, IL 62236. For more information, please access our website, www.leesmanfuneralhome.com. Lawlor Funeral Home, Columbia, IL, handled arrangements.
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