Forrest Hopkins

Forrest Lehman Hopkins (“Hop” or “Hoppy” too many of his friends) returned to his Heavenly Father on August 26, 2013. He was the eldest of the seven children of David Matthew Hopkins and Pauline Catherine Lehman Hopkins. He proudly bore his mother’s maiden name. Forrest’s three youngest siblings, Alice, Betty and Donald survive him. Forrest was born November 9, 1917 in Melvin, IL and spent much of his youth in Wisconsin. Forrest was a veteran of WWII. He was a Link Trainer instructor; he then trained as a ring gunner for B29s but the war ended before he was deployed. While stationed at what is now Columbus Mississippi Air Force Base he met a beautiful young woman in Tupelo, MS. She went by Avinelle, but he shortened her name and when they married January 1, 1944, she was known as Nelle Hopkins thereafter. The Hopkins family moved to Wayne Township in Pickaway County, OH in 1947 and Forrest and Nelle lived there until early 2013. Forrest worked as a beekeeper and electrician before becoming employed in Circleville by the U.S. Postal Service, from which he retired. He also worked the family’s small farm. Forrest’s natural skill as a handyman and his experience as an electrician served his family well, and allowed him to help friends and neighbors, as well. Forrest developed a strong work ethic at an early age and worked very hard to provide for his family. Forrest grew up in a religious family and developed a faith that never deserted him. In 1962 he joined The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (Mormom). Forrest enjoyed sports, fishing and hunting, and was an avid reader for both pleasure and learning. Under Forrest’s rather gruff exterior was a man who loved and was devoted to his immediate family and posterity. Forrest was preceded in death by his siblings, Mary Louise, Delilah and Chester. Besides his younger siblings, Forrest is survived by his wife, Nelle and children and their families, Darlene A (Brent) Glover, Lucy B. (Charles) Fowler, Paula C. (Brent) Harris, David Luther (Dianne) Hopkins; 12 grandchildren (preceded in death by one granddaughter) and 8 great grandchildren. Funeral service will be held 1:00 p.m. Friday August 30, 2013 at the Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville. Burial will be in Springbank Cemetery. Friends may call from 12 noon until time of service.