Thomas Patrick Hopkins, age 74, of Oquawka, Illinois passed away at the Great River Hospice House on Wednesday November 24, 2021 at 11:54 am. Pat was born on May 6, 1947 in Monmouth and is the son of Glen A and Ruth M. Wheeler Hopkins. Pat attended rural schools in Biggsville and Monmouth and is a graduate of Union High School with the class of 1965. He then attended business college in Burlington, Iowa. Patrick served his country in the United States Army and was Spec 5 in Viet Nam. Pat married Kathy Sue Russell on January 17, 1970 in Gladstone, Illinois and she is surviving. Before his service, he began work at the Campbell Chain Company in Burlington until it’s closing. He then was employed in 1971 as an assembler at the J.I. Case Company in Burlington, Iowa until his retirement in 2001. He was a member of the local United Auto Workers of America Union 807. Pat is a member of the Biggsville American Legion Post. He loved to hunt and fish and go for coffee downtown in Oquawka. Pat loved to do yard work and gardening and was very proud of his yard. He is survived by his wife, Kathy of Oquawka, Illinois and two daughters, Tracy Hopkins of Galesburg, IL; and Jody Hopkins and Clyde of Oquawka, IL; and one son, Daniel Hopkins and Melissa of Burlington, Iowa. There are four grandchildren, Kelsey and Kole Gilmour and Makayla, Dylan Hill and Natalya Hopkins and six great grandchildren, Aubree Gilmour, Jaelynn Gilmour, Jaxson and Jayse Gilmour, Kashton and Kameron Gilmour, all of whom are surviving. Two brothers survive, Mike Hopkins and Toni of Gladstone, Illinois and Dave Hopkins of Lewistown, Illinois. A number of Nieces and Nephews are also surviving. His mother in law also survives, Pauline Russell of Burlington, Iowa. Pat is preceded in his death by his grandparents and parents and his nephew, John.
A graveside memorial service and military honors are planned on Saturday December 4, 2021 at 10:00 an at the Biggsville Township Cemetery in Biggsville, Illinois. A celebration of his life is planned at a later date. Cremation has been accorded. No calling or visitation hours are being planned by his family. A memorial fund is being established for either the Gladstone United Methodist Church or the Biggsville American Legion Post.
