- Date Of Birth: April 30, 1925
- Date Of Death: September 19, 2016
- State: Illinois
Royal Hopper Jr. Age 91, of Centralia, passed away Monday, September 19, 2016 at Odin Healthcare Center in Odin, IL.Royal was born April 30, 1925 in St. Clair County, IL, the son of Royal Hopper Sr. and Maye Ethel (Slaughter) Hopper. He married Bettyrose Mae Jolliff on May 18, 1946 in Centralia and she survives him in Odin.
They shared over 70 years of marriage together.In addition to his wife Bettyrose, he is survived by four children: Linda Anderson of Olathe, Kansas, Gary Hopper and wife Maggie of Dix, IL, Janice Hurn of Centralia, and Brian Hopper and special friend Diane Birnstill of Dix, IL; Eighteen grandchildren: Dawn Workman and husband Grant of Olathe, Kansas, Shane Stoafer and wife Laura of Olathe, Kansas, Danny Anderson of Chicago, Illinois, Zach Anderson of Olathe, Kansas, Chari Anderson of Olathe, Kansas, Kortni Anderson of Centralia, Valerie Sherman of Centralia, Amber West and husband Brian of Centralia, Cory Hopper and Fiancé Chrystal of Vernon, Heather Walsh and husband Brett of Shawnee, Kansas, Timothy Neal of Australia, Matthew Terry and wife Tosha of Cedar Hill, Missouri, Stacie Hurn of Centralia, Jacob Hurn of Centralia, Jamie Crawford of Strafford, Missouri, Ashton Orrill of Sandoval, Adam Rolf of Centralia, Chelsi Hatcher of Tampa, Florida; twenty-three great grandchildren: Jarrod, Ryan, Braylen Workman, Bridget and Scarlett De Adder, Marley Clark, Olivia Graham, Damien Graham, Makenzie Hopper, Drew Sherman, Matthew Ali, Coen and Pacey West, Amilia Logsdon, Katlyn and Ethan Terry, Breanna and Paxton Callender, Raelee, Keelee, Crue, Preslee, Brinlee Crawford, Alyza Rolf; many nieces and nephews and cousins.Royal was preceded in death by his parents: Royal Hopper Sr. and Maye Ethel (Slaughter) Hopper; two daughters: Debra Neal and Rhonda Hatcher; grandson: Alan Hopper; great grandson: Kaeson Crawford; great granddaughter: Destiny Workman; three sons-in-law: Alan Hurn, Robert Neal, and Terry Hatcher; one brother: Donald Lee Hopper; four sisters: Velma Hopper, Shirley Jean Cunningham, Valeria June Hesker, and Lela Mae Hopper.
Royal served in the U.S. Navy from 1943-1946 in WWII as a Seamen 1st class. After returning from WWII he went to work for the Illinois Central Railroad. A few years later he started working for the Burlington Railroad as a Brakemen. He then later opened up his own wholesale florist business where he delivered and sold flowers from his home. After having his own business for a while, he decided to go work for Zieglers Furnace Company, and then from there he worked for Kas Potato Chip Inc. where he retired from. He was lifetime member of the VFW Post 2055, and a member of the Centralia Moose Lodge 1219.
His greatest enjoyment with his grandchildren and great grandchildren was performing magic tricks and making funny faces. He made sure each of them had a smile on their faces. He enjoyed going camping with his family, going fishing, and working a garden every year. He also enjoyed woodworking and making things for his family. He was also famous for at the age of 90 still being able to play spoons. Most of all he loved spending time with his family.
