Mr. Galen “Wes” Wesley Hoppock died 2:37 p.m. June 27, 2020. We would like to say, as people do, he was with his loving wife and daughter who were always by his side, but after calling us in to comfort him and to have his wife be with him till his end, we were told we had to leave and he died 12 hours later. We believe, though, God was with him. Wes was born January 8, 1935 in Plymouth, Illinois to Myrtle (Peterson) and Clarence Hoppock.
He was a faithful and loving husband to Kathleen “Kitty”. A Love lasting almost 41 years. He was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather. He had the best smile. He went into the Marine Corps at 17 years old with his mother’s consent and became an airplane mechanic and was stationed in Korea. He served 4 years and he had pride in serving our country.
After being discharged from the service he worked for Delux Check Printers in Chicago, Illinois then came back to Galesburg to work at Admiral. He then found his favorite job and became “The Truck Driving Man” for the rest of his working life. He loved driving. He hauled everything and saw many places and things and eventually travelled with Kitty and they shared those journeys. Wes loved their little blue house he lived in growing up that he helped build. He loved being home, because there, he was “The Yard Working Man”. Even after he lost his leg, his eye, and most of his mobility, he was outside, tan from working. There were countless people who saw him always working outside that drove by on his busy street and actually stopped him or us over the years to say how “inspired” or “in awe” or how “they needed to do more” after seeing him working so diligently every day. Wes loved Kitty the most, his family, then driving, and his yard. He adored babies, had his Cubs, poker, puzzles and his artwork of which he passed on to his family and friends. He was preceded in death by his parents, siblings, Bobby, John, and Jack, a wife, and an infant daughter.
He is survived by sisters, Dora (and Chuck) Reason and Juanita Asbury. Surviving also is his wife, Kitty (Kathleen) his partner in love and life. No more caring, loving and faithful partner could a man have and he ADORED her. Always knowing her even on days when he only knew her presence, and it never failed to comfort him. He will forever be remembered by his daughter, Dolly (and Darryl) Sprinkle to whom he ALWAYS and in whatever state of health, until his very last with her tried to say “I love you, too” for her. Family, also surviving are Elizabeth Hart, his grandchildren, Sara (and Josh) Cunningham, Katie Miller, Gary Perks, Matt, Stephanie and Andrew Miller, and Garrett and Cole Sprinkle, great grandchildren, Ayden, Aylivia, Ansley, Avery, Luke, Brantley, Stormy, Espyn and Ezlynn.
Wes was belabored most of his life with health issues and medical traumas. Much that was brought about by the very means that was supposed to help him. He and we fought battles for him, till his end and even then, his passing was not without strife.
As folks often do, Wes lived more than one life in a lifetime. His life story however, was with Kitty and that is what brought him love, laughter and living through things unimaginable. She was his reason. At his end, he had family that loved him and he was brought peace by that.
Cremation was accorded. A private family graveside service will be at Ellison Cemetery, Smithshire, Illinois. Memorials may be made to Galesburg Salvation Army. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Funeral Directors and Cremation Service Galesburg Chapel is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com.
