In loving memory of

John R. Hoopes
May 6, 1934 - February 4, 2018

JOHN HOOPES
MUSCATINE, Iowa - John R. Hoopes, 83, of Kenansville, Florida, formerly of Muscatine, passed away on Sunday, February 4, 2018, at his home.

Funeral Service will be 1:30 p.m. on Monday, February 12, 2018, at the Ralph J. Wittich-Riley-Freers Funeral Home. Reverend Mike Townsley will officiate. Casket bearers will be his grandsons and honorary bearers will be his granddaughters. Burial will take place at the Island Cemetery.

Visitation will be from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday, February 11, 2018, at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project. Online condolences: www.wittichfuneralhome.com


John was born on May 6, 1934, in Muscatine, the son of Fred W. and Grace Gertenbach Hoopes.
He was a graduate of Muscatine High School and attended Michigan State College. He married Mary Beth Bankhead on June 14, 1959, in Muscatine.

He was a US Army veteran having served in Germany.

He was a lifelong farmer and professional farrier. He and his wife, Mary Beth, owned and operated Hoopes Melon Shed for many years. He enjoyed showing and breaking quarter horses, pheasant hunting, and fishing. He treasured spending time with family and friends at Sunday fish fries.

Those left to honor his memory include his wife, Mary Beth Hoopes of Kenansville, Florida; one daughter, Holly Kiwala of Kenansville, Florida; three sons, Simon Hoopes and wife, Christa, of Peja, Kosovo, Fred Hoopes and wife, Lucinda, of Muscatine, and Kenneth Hoopes and wife, Maria, of North Muskegon, Michigan; 13 grandchildren, Benjamin, Zachary and Sam Hoopes, Clayton, Jack and Charlie Kiwala, Katie and Mary Grace Hoopes, and Asher, Reese, Minuette, Elleni and Chloe Hoopes; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Jim Hoopes and wife, Dee Dee, of Muscatine, and Robert Hoopes and wife, Jennifer, of Letts; and one sister, Sandra Morse and husband, Charles, of Waukee.

He is preceded in death by his parents.

Tributes

Buck Lord wrote on Feb 12, 2018:

"Remember many good times with a great friend at MHS, may he rest in peace "

Bob and Mary Jane Fridley wrote on Feb 11, 2018:

" To Holly and the Hoopes Family, Our thoughts and Prayers are with you all. Your Dad may be gone from this earth but he will never be forgotten. He was one of the good guys. May he RIP. God Bless"

Steve, Charlie Paul and Cory Cox wrote on Feb 11, 2018:

"I am so sorry to hear of John's passing. I enjoyed the times when we would come to Muscatine and would get the world's best melons and sweet corn. I know that Charlie and Cory always enjoyed their visits too."

Lawrence Carlson wrote on Feb 11, 2018:

"RIP old classmate"

Tracey Anson wrote on Feb 11, 2018:

"So sorry for your loss, you are all in my thoughts and prayers."

Jerry and Sharon Wheeler wrote on Feb 11, 2018:

"Our deepest sympathy go out to John's family. Of all the many blessings however great or small. To have John as a husband, father, Grandfather, uncle was the greatest one of all. Your family chain may be broken now and nothing will seem the same but as God takes you one by one your will link again. John is now your beautiful Angel in heaven. I want to say a special condolence to Zachary that your Grandfather will always have that special place in your heart. God bless Johns family"

Paul and Pat Ladas wrote on Feb 8, 2018:

"What we will always remember most about John is his comment at the wedding of his son Ken, who is a descendant of Thomas Jefferson, to our daughter Maria who is of Greek descent, he concluded that it was a good match because when his breeding cattle the best results came when the participants had qvery opposite backgrounds. With their one daughter in Medical School and the other in U of MI Engineering College, we guess he was right."

Rhonda Colvard wrote on Feb 8, 2018:

"Sorry to hear of your loss. You all will be in my thoughts and prayers. Rhonda Colvard"

Tara (Shoultz) Hogan wrote on Feb 7, 2018:

"My deepest condolences to the entire Hoopes family. I have many memories growing up of living down the street from all of you, it was never a dull moment when there was a "Hoopes" around. John was a staple on the island and we forever be remembered by many, thanks for the memories. God Bless."

ron evans wrote on Feb 6, 2018:

"Mary Beth, sorry for your loss. I bought alot of produce from John and Mary Beth for Muscatine Hy-Vee. John always had time for a small story whenever I was in the Melon Shed to pick up items. R.I.P John"

Tamy bloomhuff wrote on Feb 6, 2018:

"Im so sorry to hear this, my dad and uncle, sherman and sam bloomhuff, were two of the original melon boys for fred senior, and they knew john well, RIP"

Jay Snyder wrote on Feb 6, 2018:

"My deepest condolences to you Mary Beth and to Holly, Simon, Fred and Nick. You all were terrific "next door" neighbors. May you all have peace soon. R.I.P. John"

Jo-Ann Ralls wrote on Feb 6, 2018:

"Very sorry for your loss."

Charlene whitlock wrote on Feb 5, 2018:

"MaryBeth and family, my thoughts and prayers are with you. I am so sorry for your loss."

Julie Snyder Castillo wrote on Feb 5, 2018:

"John was one of the nicest men. I grew up down the road from their farm and spent a lot of time at their house. My deepest sympathy to Mary Beth, Holly, Simon, Fred and Nick and your families. RIP John"

Maria Ladas Hoopes wrote on Feb 5, 2018:

"Our father, father-in-law, and grandfather was well-known for growing some of the best ? melons ? in the mid-west, and too, raising some of the highest quality horses both near and far. But as his daughter-in-law, what I always relied on was his quick whit and fantastic sense of humor. He made us laugh most moments that we were with him. And for that I will miss and be forever grateful to him. We love you Papa and your memory will be eternal with us all.-- Maria Hoopes"