Tommy E. Hopewell's Obituary
Tommy E. Hopewell, 88 years of Columbia, IL, passed away on November 18, 2021 at Mercy Hospital, Saint Louis, MO. He was born July 14, 1933, in East St. Louis, IL. He was married to the late Dorma, nee Wakefield, Hopewell. They were married December 19, 1953 in Cahokia, IL. She passed away March 21, 2005.
Tommy had worked for Wohl Shoe Co., and Central Hardware, St. Louis, MO. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Columbia, IL, and had been a deacon in the Southern Baptist Faith for many decades. He had served on the Columbia Zoning Board of Appeals, and had coached softball locally with Khoury League teams. He had served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and always honored others who have served in the military. Tommy was a craftsman and enjoyed woodworking and carpentry in his spare time. He enjoyed traveling the country working with World Changers and other groups doing home construction and repair to benefit under-privileged families. The St. Louis Cardinals were his favorite ball club, and he never passed up a good cup of coffee or a great meal. He adored his "Sweetie" and deeply treasured his family. A special note of thanks to the caregivers from Red Bud Regional Home Care, and the Community Center, especially Amy.
Surviving are his daughters, Robin (Kert) MacLaughlin, Cynthia (Dan) Bandy, and Lisa (Ken Korpecki) Fallon; grandchildren, Aaron (Aimee) Weisenborn, Nicole (Richie) Bachelier, Ryan Weisenborn, Courtney (Jared McBride) Fallon and Kylie (Kaleb Shrum) Fallon, Leah Bandy, Christian Bandy, Peter MacLaughlin, and Nathan MacLaughlin; great-grandchildren, Lexi Bachelier, Reese (Kade White) Bachelier, Jackson Bachelier, Brooklyn Bachelier, Alex Weisenborn, and Ansley Weisenborn, along with other relatives and friends.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Jimmie and Genevieve, nee Zinn, Hopewell; brothers, Frank Ratterman, Jr. and Jimmie Hopewell; sisters, Dolores Hale and Shirley Olson.
Visitation will be Monday, November 22, 2021, 4 pm -7 pm at Leesman Funeral Home, Columbia, IL and Tuesday, November 23, 2021, 8:30 am - 9:00 am at First Baptist Church,Columbia, IL. Funeral Services will follow visitation at 9:00 am at church, with Pastor Jonathan Peters officiating. Interment will follow in the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, MO.
In lieu of customary remembrances, the family requests with gratitude that memorial contributions be directed to First Baptist Church Building Fund, 1200 Valmeyer Road, Columbia, IL, 62236.
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