Doris was born and raised in Belleville. During the war, her father was transferred from Scott AFB, IL, to Brookley Field in Mobile, AL. She finished her school years at Convent of Mercy High School and then worked in payroll at Providence Hospital. At that time, she decided to move back home to Illinois.
Always the devoted mother and oma, Doris loved being with children. She volunteered as a Girl Scout leader, room mother, and cafeteria worker at Cathedral. St. Mary’s, Grade Schools and Althoff Catholic High School. She worked various jobs and developed friendships too numerous to mention. She was a 50+ year member of the CK&L of I, now known as CFL.
Doris lived a most holy life, loved her God, and St. Padre Pio, and went to Mass every day she could. She prayed daily rosaries for the intentions of others. She was a devout Catholic, which showed through her most gracious spirit. She was a very special person who found good in everyone and everything. She would light up a room upon entering and was known for her smile, her laugh, and her quick wit. She was also known for her special sayings, especially God Bless You (GBY).
She was preceded in death by her parents, Julius V. and Ann E., nee Grimmig, Rasp; two sisters, Patsy Walks and Mary Lynn Girod; two brothers-in-law, Morton K. Girod and Julius Hopper; her daughter-in-law, Teresa Hopper; a sister-in-law, Estella Hopper, and many dear aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends.
Surviving are three children, James J. (special friend, Melanie Becoat) Hopper of Brighton, IL, Suzann E. Hopper of St. Louis, MO,
and Jude J. Hopper Sr. of O’Fallon, IL;
five grandchildren, Rachel Hopper, Jude Hopper II, Natalie Hopper, Joshua Hopper, and Jacob Hopper;
a great-granddaughter, Elliana Barcinas;
and numerous dear godchildren, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
In her last year there were dear friends who helped with her care. The family would like to give special thanks to Cheryl, Nancy and Michael, Cheri, Chris, Sylvia and Father Ken York.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made in the form of Masses and accepted at St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, or to the Doris Hopper memorial playground fund, in care of the Bank of O’Fallon, 901 South Lincoln Avenue, O’Fallon, IL 62269, or to the Foundation Fighting Blindness, 7168 Columbia Gateway Drive, Suite 100, Columbia, MD, 21046. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Recitation of the Rosary will be held at 3:30 p.m., and visitation will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, January 26, 2018, at George Renner and Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, and from 9 to 11 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, at St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018, at St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Rev. Kenneth York officiating.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.