Michael Eugene Hopkins

Michael Eugene Hopkins, 97, passed away peacefully on March 30th, 2024, at his home of Lombard Place. Affectionately known as Michael, but family and friends knew him as Mike.

Born on December 11th,1926 in Colo, Iowa, his life was a testament to faith, family and the farm. Michael was raised by his parents, Veva and Roger Hopkins (preceded in death) with his two sisters, Veva and Martha (preceded in death).

After serving his country in Germany at the close of WWII where he was stationed in Germany under the Army of Occupation, Michael studied Dairy Operations at Iowa State University. He met his wife, Ruth Hopkins in 1953 and they welcomed their daughter, Laura Mary Hopkins on May 11th, 1955, a day Mike often referred to as "...a birthday every farmer would blush at." Mike and Ruth bidded farewell to the farm and moved to Chicago to seek their fortune. After a quick stint in modeling, Mike became a union carpenter and started a successful construction business, leaving his footprint of careful and detailed craftmanship on many homes and small commercial buildings.

Mike's daughter, Laura Hopkins married David Plumb in 1979 and raised 3 children in Glen Ellyn, James David Plumb, Michelle Plumb Berkland and Stacey Plumb Handal. Mike has 8 Plumb great-grandchildren, all of whom were blessed to know him as Grandpa Mike.

After a tragic loss of his first wife Ruth, Mike found joy with the love from his second wife, Nancy Barber Pole, who preceded him in death. The two were married at the First Congregational Church and Mike's family grew to include Nancy's children, son Bob Pole and wife Pam Pole, and daughter Cindy Pole Bertsch and husband Larry Bertsch. Grandpa Mike was blessed with 6 additional grandchildren, RJ, Andy and Alex Pole, Kevin and Jeff Ragsdale and Grace Bertsch, and 3 more great-grandchildren. 

Mike's dedication to craft and kin was as beautiful as it was honorable. He worked with his hands from his boyhood days milking cows and harnessing the horses and used those skills as he transitioned to building homes and upon retirement, found a use for his fine workmanship of small wood objects like pens, housewares, and customized gifts for special events. His hands would gleefully grace the keys of any piano in sight and were there to hold yours with a warm greeting and a hug.  

He loved taking his family on adventures and he cherished his time performing songs or skits resultings from those excursions on any stage that would permit him; it was clear to see that he was proudly fueled by his relationships.  

As we bid farwell to Mike, we do so with heavy hearts but also with gratitude for the indelible mark he left on our lives. Though he may no longer walk among us, his spirit will live on in our now contented memories.

Until we meet again,

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are appreciated to Honor Flight Chicago online at https://www.honorflightchicago.org/  or by mail: Honor Flight Chicago, 9701 W Higgins Road, Suite 310, Rosemont, IL 60018-4703

Funeral Service on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 1:00 pm at First Congregational Church of Glen Ellyn, 535 Forest Avenue, Glen Ellyn. Burial takes place after the service at Forest Hill Cemetery, corner of St. Charles Road and Riford Rd.