Jack was born on February 13, 1937, to Winifred, nee Lundy, and Albert Hoppenjans, Sr. in East St. Louis, Illinois. He graduated from Assumption High School, East St. Louis in 1955 and married his high school sweetheart, Jeanette, nee Andres, Hoppenjans on December 26, 1959. Jack honorably served his country in the United States Army from 1959 to 1964. In 1960, he began his career with Turner Electric Corporation as a Design Engineer. After 44 years, Jack retired as President of the company on April 16, 2004. He was a longtime parishioner of St. Peter’s Cathedral in Belleville, Illinois. Known by his closest friends as “Hoppy”, his love of family and passion for boating was second to none. There were to be no activities (including daughters’ weddings) planned between Memorial Day and Labor Day, as those summer weekends were reserved for the lake. “Family time” on the water was instilled in and passed onto his daughters and their families. After his retirement in 2004, Jack enjoyed escaping the cold Midwest winters and spending those months in Fort Myers, Florida with Jeanette.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Winifred and Albert Hoppenjans Sr.; in-laws, Otto “Andy” and Bernice Andres; and a brother-in-law, Terry Andres.
Jack is survived by his loving wife of almost 62 years, Jeanette Hoppenjans; three daughters, Julia (Don) Miller of Belleville, Illinois, Jeanna (John) Dwyer of Plano, Texas, and Jill (Rick) Rozycke of Freeburg, Illinois; grandchildren, Ryan (Jill) Miller of Belleville, Illinois, Jason (Megan) Miller of Edwardsville, Illinois, Brandon (Melissa) Miller of Swansea, Illinois, Kelsey (Caten) Hyde of Austin, Texas, Alec Dwyer of Plano, Texas, Jordan Dwyer of Plano, Texas, Derrick (fiancée Madelyn Lybarger) Rozycke of Smithton, Illinois, Brett Rozycke of Freeburg, Illinois and Tyler Rozycke of Freeburg, Illinois; great-grandchildren, Grayson Miller, Grady Miller, Sullivan Miller and Baby Boy Miller (due May, 2022), Reese Hyde and Leighton Hyde; a sister, Terry (Norman) Kastner of Belleville; two sisters-in-law, Kathy (Richard) Pucci of Monroe Township, New Jersey and Edie Andres of Benton, Illinois; and several beloved nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s research or to the Special Olympics. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit from 9:00 to 10:45 am Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. Standard CDC guidelines, including masks and social distancing will be observed.
Funeral: A funeral mass will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, November 24, 2021, at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Burial with military honors will follow at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, Illinois.