Cecil "Hoppy" M. Hopkins, age 80, of O'Fallon, born March 29, 1941 in Old Mines, Mo., to Bernard and Mary, nee Robart, Hopkins, passed away Tuesday, September 21, 2021. He joined the Army as a young man, and after 4 years, transitioned to the Air Force, where he had a lengthy and successful career in Military Communications, retiring from Scott AFB in 1987 as Command Chief Master Sergeant.

While stationed in Germany in the early 1960s, he met and married the love of his life and fellow Army soldier, Denise Pang. They were married for 49 happy, silly years, until her passing. Cecil was an avid reader and enjoyed spending time with family and friends, traveling, riding motorcycles, fixing cars, fishing, and his fur baby Max.

He was preceded in death by his wife Denise; his parents; his daughter Desiree Shito; and his sisters Christine (Burgess) Barton, and Jan Stinson.

Surviving are his three children Mark (Marsha Kaufmann) of Mississippi, Peter (Bambi Eilers) of O'Fallon, and Merilee Hopkins, of O'Fallon; grandchildren Keoni, Kaipo, Hoku, Brandi, Mea, Alesha, and Malia; and numerous great-grandchildren. Also surviving are his son-in-law Paul Shito; brothers Bernard Hopkins and Roger (Elise) Hopkins, and sister Connie (Richard) Miner; brother-in-law John (Connie) Stinson; and his dog Max.

Memorial donations are suggested to Randy's Rescue Ranch ( randysrescueranch.org ) or the VFW ( vfw.org ) or to the O'Fallon Community Food Pantry. Sign the guestbook and view a photo tribute at www.wfh-ofallon.com .

The family will host a private service.

Wolfersberger Funeral Home, O'Fallon.