George L. Hoppert Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial for George L. Hoppert Jr., 86, of Mentor, will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, April 27, 2011, at St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, 9114 Lake Shore Blvd., Mentor. The Rev. Fr. Timothy J. Plavac will officiate at the Mass. (Please meet at the church Wednesday morning.)
Mr. Hoppert passed away at home surrounded by his loving family Friday, April 22, 2011, and will be greatly missed.
He was born April 8, 1925, in Cleveland, and lived in Willowick before moving to Mentor, where he had lived for the past 33 years.
Before his graduation from Collinwood High School, he went to work with the former New York Central Railroad at age 18. Upon graduating in 1943, he joined the United States Air Force and attended the Air Force Academy for cadet pilot training. During the war, he earned the rank of Second Lieutenant, as a pilot flying B-24, B-25 and B-19 aircraft.
After the war, he married Diane (Stakich) in 1946, and returned to work with the New York Central Railroad as a locomotive engineer. He retired from Conrail, after 45 years of service.
He was a member of St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church, the Cox Chagrin Boat Club, Fairport Harbor Fishing and Boat Club. Willowick Campers, AMVETS Post 109 in Mentor-on-the-Lake and Black River Game Club. Mr. Hoppert loved birthday parties, picnics, and get-togethers with his family and the great outdoors. He had a passion for boating, fishing, hunting, camping and traveling that he passed on to his children and grandchildren.
He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Diane; children, George Hoppert III, Suzanne Nakaji, Ruth (Kevin) McCollum and Dale Hoppert; grandchildren, Lisa Conley, Dawn (Rick) Demore, Steve and David Nakaji, Kevin, Mandy, Amy and Kelly McCollum, Daniel, Jaimie, Joshua Hoppert, Briana and Randy Hoppert; and great-grandchildren, Jacob, Madelynn, Jayden and Jackson Conley, Kaleb Nakaji, Grace Hoover, Conner McCollum, Rick Jr. and Alex Demore.
He was preceded in death by his parents, George L. Sr. and Cleo (Cummins) Hoppert; and brothers, Harold Hoppert and Robert Hoppert.
The family will receive friends from 5 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, April 26, 2011, at Davis-Babcock Funeral Home, 4154 Clark Ave., Willoughby. Final resting place will be in All Souls Cemetery in Chardon Township.
In lieu of flowers, the family encourages contributions to Hospice of the Western Reserve, Inc., 5786 Heisley Road, Mentor, OH 44060, or St. Bede the Venerable Catholic Church.