Donald “Don” Hopwood

Donald Dean (Don) Hopwood, age 89, passed away peacefully on August 3, 2021.

Don was born October 3, 1931 at Springfield Hospital, the third son of Mary Jane (Kincaid) Hopwood and J. Ward Hopwood.  He was preceded in death by his parents and brothers James Edgar (J.E.) and Loren.

Don graduated from Athens High School in 1949 and from the University of Illinois in Champaign in 1953 with a major in Vocational Agriculture.  He married Doris Mae Bilse on December 29, 1956 in her family church, the Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church, in the Vailsburg section of Newark, New Jersey.

Don’s work experience was varied. He was the Ag Teacher and FFA Advisor in Astoria, Illinois with time out for military service in the U.S. Army, Counter Intelligence stationed in the First Army Headquarters, Governors Island, New York City. He completed basic training in Camp Chaffee, AR and specialized training at Fort Holabird in Baltimore, MD in the inaugural year of the Army Intelligence Center. In addition to his role as a teacher, he was a Country Companies Insurance Agent in Menard County, a purchasing agent for two companies, and later joined the First National Bank of Petersburg as a teller eventually being promoted to Senior Vice President and retired with the bank after more than 25 years.  During his banking career he served on various American Bankers Association and Illinois Bankers Association agricultural committees and taught several classes for the Illinois Bankers School.

Don kept a balance of focus on his career, public service and contributions to the community while prioritizing traditional family values.  Family was particularly important to Don as he did not know his own mother due to her death when he was only 5 months.

Don was actively involved in the Petersburg Chamber of Commerce (President, two terms), Tourism organizations both local and regional, including Honest Abe Days, The Petersburg United Methodist Church, New Salem Lincoln League, Vintage Ag Association, Lake Petersburg Board Member, Nomads On a Mission Active in Devine Service (NOMADS), Petersburg Lions Club, Redcoat at Memorial Medical Center, volunteer at St. John’s Hospital Hospice Program, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Illinois, Lifetime Member of the Menard County Historical Society, Lifetime Member of the University of Illinois Alumni Association and was currently a member of the Academy of Lifelong Learning at Lincoln Land Community College.

Don also enjoyed spending time with his beloved family, traveling both the US and internationally, playing golf, as well as enjoying his many hobbies including woodworking, stained glass, a quick nap after lunch and preparing delectable fried chicken at family gatherings.

One of Don’s most recent special memories was participating in the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight in September 2018 with his son David serving as his Guardian.

He is survived by his loving wife Doris and children Debbie (Doug) Berg, son David (Jacki) Hopwood and Denise (Tom) Tietz and grandchildren Bradley, Allison and Carolyn Berg, Kyle Elisabeth Hopwood (fiancé Tom Laughlin) and Blair Hopwood Winner (husband Nick), Marissa (fiancé David Ritter) and Alayna Tietz, and several nephews, a niece and a cousin.

Cremation rights have been accorded and a Celebration of Life will be held at 11:00 AM Saturday, October 2, 2021 at the Petersburg United Methodist Church.  There will be an opportunity to greet the family from 9:30 until 10:30 AM that morning also at the church.

Memorial contributions can be made to the Petersburg United Methodist Church, Building Fund; 221 West Jackson Street, Petersburg, IL 62675.

Mott & Henning Funeral Home is assisting the family. On-line condolences can be shared at www.mottandhenning.com.