Ronald E. Hopwood, Sr.

Ronald E. Hopwood, Sr., 74, of Springfield died on August 16, 2014 at St. John's Hospital Hospice after a long battle with Multiple Sclerosis. Ron was born July 31, 1940 in Springfield, the son of Harold and Katherine Lucille Durham Hopwood. He married Doris Davis on November 11, 1983. They enjoyed traveling and sports. In addition to his wife, he is survived by three children, Ronald Gene Hopwood, Jr. of Rochester, Anthony Scott (Kim) Hopwood of Freeport and Katherine Lynnette Hopwood of Crest Hill; three grandchildren, Jeremy Simmons of Savoy, Jordan Hopwood of Naperville, and Erika Hopwood of Rochester; six siblings, John (Jan) Hopwood of Wilmington, Dorothy (Jim) Freeman, Linda Hawker and Nancy Hopwood, all of Springfield, Mary (Bob) Christians of Citrus Heights, CA, and Dee (Marion) Ring of Treasure Island, FL; numerous nieces and nephews; and special friends, Jerry, Charlene and Brandon Gibson of Kansas City, MO. He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Stan Hopwood. Ron served proudly in the U.S. Air Force. He worked for Stateville Correctional facility, Master Supply Company, Beatrice Foods, Springfield Clinic and Elliott Avenue Baptist Church. He was a member and past president of the Springfield Center for Independent Living (SCIL) Board of Directors, the Springfield Mass Transit District Advisory Committee, the Springfield Disabilities Committee (mayoral appointment), The SCIL Access Committee, and the Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities of Illinois. Ron was an alumnus of the Springfield Chamber of Commerce Leadership Springfield. Private family ceremonies will be held. Memorial contributions are welcomed to St. John's Hospital Hospice Program, 800 E. Carpenter St., Springfield, IL 62769.