Obituary of John Hopper

John Charles Hopper, of Moberly, 69, beloved husband of Joyce Hopper; loving father of Brian Elroy (Loretta) Hopper, Stevie Marie (Rodney) Bell, Angela (Junior) Brock, Barbara Henry, Tammy Bowen, John (Lisa) Bowen, James (Cheryl) Bowen, Terry (Gayla) Bowen, Scott Bowen, and the late John William (Chip) Hopper, Stacy Freeman and Jannette Thorp; dear son of the late John Hopper and Erma Dell (Bill) Childers; grandfather to 27 grandchildren including the late Cason Bell,  Brandon Bowen, Jessica and Kelsey Bowen; great grandfather to 54 great grandchildren; brother to Vickie (Junior) Elledge, Theresa (Ken) Greer, and the late Robert Hopper, Butch Hopper, Cheryl Olson and Ida Jean Morrison;  brother in law to Judy Hopper and Patricia Hopper; uncle and friend;
passed away Saturday, November 23, 2019.

John was born January 30, 1950 in Moberly, MO to John William Hopper and Erma Dell Sumpter. He was a lifelong resident of the Moberly area. On July 3, 1982, he married Joyce Crawford in Moberly, MO. After high school, John joined the U.S. Army from 1968-1969, reenlisting again from 1970-1974; he served honorably in the Vietnam War.  

John was a diligent worker; he worked for Norfolk Southern for over 31 years. John was a proud member of the VFW Post 2654 in Moberly, and Liberty Lodge #301. John helped build and maintain the Magic City Line Mini Train in Rothwell Park, which delighted numerous children and their families; on pleasant days he could be found out at the park watching the train and making sure that everything was running smoothly.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are greatly appreciated to the Moberly Friends of the Park Railroad, C/O Moberly Parks and Rec, 200 N Clark St, Moberly, MO 65270.

Service’s celebrating the life of John Hopper will be held Wednesday, November 27, 2019 at 11:00 a.m. at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home. Interment with full military honors will follow at the Missouri State Veterans Cemetery in Jacksonville.  Visitation will be held on Wednesday, November 27, 2019 from 10:00 a.m. until the time of service, at Pathway Memorial Funeral Home.