Michael Hopkins

Michael ?L.J.? ?Hoppy? Hopkins, 56, of Benton Harbor, passed away on June 9, 2005, at Lakeland Hospital, St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held 10:00 A.M. Monday, June 13, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, with Msgr. Eugene Sears officiating. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Benton Harbor with Graveside Military Rites conducted by Stevensville American Legion Post #568. Visitation will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 2:00-5:00 P.M. at the funeral home. Memorials in his name may be made to Stevensville American Legion or the Cadet Fund MSU ROTC, 113 Demonstration Hall E, Lansing, MI 48824. Friends wishing to send a condolence message or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. Mike was born on October 18, 1948, in Benton Harbor, Michigan to Charles & Cora (Craft) Hopkins. He graduated from St. Joseph High School in 1966 and proudly served his county during the Vietnam War in the US Navy Seabee?s. He was a graduate of Ironworkers Local 292 apprenticeship school and continued on as a member of Local 292 for 38 years. He started his apprenticeship with Pearson Construction before entering the service, worked for many local contractors over the years, and retired from Pearson?s in 2003. On July 21, 1995 he married his sweetheart, Sandra Longpre, in St. Joseph. He was a member of the Stevensville American Legion, American Trap Shooters Association, St. Joseph Masonic Lodge and the Coloma Rod & Gun Club. He was an avid trap shooter and Civil War buff. He loved his family, friends and his country passionately. Mike is survived by his wife Sandra; his children?Charles M. Hopkins of Howell, MI, Heather A. Bittner of Canton, MI and 2 Lt. Randall F. Bittner, Benton Harbor, MI; sister Connie (Bill) Haase of Berrien Springs; niece Grace Hasse of Berrien Springs as well as many nieces and nephews. Mike is preceded in death by his father Charles Hopkins. He will be dearly missed by all who knew and love him.