Thomas George Hopkins, Buffalo

Thomas George Hopkins, age 87, of rural Buffalo, died April 20, 2001, at the Buffalo Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial for was April 23, 10 a.m., at the Church of St. Francis in Buffalo. Father Charles L. Froehle was the Celebrant and interment followed at St. Francis Cemetery. Friends called at the Peterson Chapel in Buffalo on April 22 from 4-8 p.m. with a prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Ken Harwarth, Jim Harwarth, Rob Williams, Jeff Miller, Joe Hopkins and Bill Hopkins served as the casketbearers.

Hopkins was born in Maple Lake Township on June 26, 1913, the son of Henry E. and Martha Vangerow Hopkins. He graduated from Buffalo High School in 1930 and later worked for 10 years at the Leader Department Store in downtown Buffalo. On Oct. 27, 1936, he and Hazel Dechaine were joined in holy marriage at the Church of St. Francis in Buffalo. Together the couple farmed in Maple Lake Township for many years. Hazel preceded her husband in death on Oct. 6, 1994. In addition to farming, Hopkins worked for several years at Calva Cosmetics. He was a lifelong faithful member of the Church of St. Francis in Buffalo and belonged to the Knights of Columbus Council #6608.

Survivors are children: Thomas L. of Buffalo and Mary (Don) Bruns of Maple Lake; seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren; brothers and sisters: Patrick H. (Arvilla) of Buffalo, Ralph of Princeton, Mildred I. Whiteman of California, Jeanette A. Hoffman of Buffalo; a brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leo (Beatrice) Dechaine of Phoenix, AZ; many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Hazel; parents, Henry and Martha; brothers, William and Anthony; sister, Eileen Rudisuhle; and a son-in-law, James E. Harwarth, on Sept. 9, 1992.

The Peterson Chapel in Buffalo served the family.