- Date Of Birth: March 30, 1913
- Date Of Death: August 15, 2005
- State: Illinois
Rev. Herbert C. Kopff, 92, of St. Louis, Mo., died Monday, August 15, 2005, at Alexian Brothers Lansdowne Village in St. Louis, Mo. Father Kopff was born in St. Louis, Mo. on March 30, 1913, son of Benedict A. and Caroline (Spieler) Kopff. He attended St. Aloysius and Holy Family grade schools in St. Louis and St. Louis Preparatory Seminary. He completed his priesthood education at Kendrick Seminary. Father Kopff was ordained for the Diocese of Belleville on June 11, 1938 by Bishop Henry Althoff at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Belleville.
His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Dominic Parish, Breese, and then he served St. Andrew Parish at Murphysboro. He received his first pastorate in April 1945 at St. Joseph, Equality, and the missions at Stonefort, New Burnside, Vienna at Metropolis. The next year, he became the first resident pastor of St. Rose of Lima, Metropolis, with the mission of St. Paul’s in Vienna. Father Kopff later served as pastor at St. Joseph Parish at Ridgway. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee on June 11, 1988 at St. Francis Parish in Aviston where he served as pastor from September 9, 1965 until his retirement on October 1, 1989. He celebrated his 60th anniversary of ordination on June 14, 1998 and his 65th in 2003. In the diocese, Father Kopff served as Chaplain of the L. A. Lambert Council #1581 Ridgway Knights of Columbus; a member of the Priest’s Senate; a member of the Board of Directors of the Clergymen’s Aid Society for over 30 years; the Deanery Director of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women for the North Central Deanery and moderator of St. Jude’s School for Exceptional Children.
He was a member of the Aviston Knights of Columbus Council #11110 and a member of Bishop Altoff 4th Degree Assembly. Father Kopff established the Khoury Leagues in Clinton and Massac counties and Kopff Field in Aviston was dedicated in his honor on June 4, 2005. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and their spouses, Cornelius and Bernadine Kopff and Sylvester and Agnes Kopff; a nephew and his wife, Donald and Dawn Kopff; and a niece, Florence Marie Kopff. He is survived by his nephews, Rev. Marvin Kopff of St. Louis, Joseph Kopff and wife Lois of Goodyear, Arizona, Herbert Kopff of St. Louis, and Thomas Kopff and wife Debbie of St. Louis; and his nieces, Marianne Norrenberns and husband Jack of St. Louis, and Nancy Healy of Goodyear, Arizona. He will be remembered as a beloved uncle, great uncle, great great uncle, cousin, and a wonderful and good friend to many people and parishioners.
