John “Jack” Hopper, 78, of Hoyt Street, Niles, died at 5:30 a.m. Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009, at home.

Funeral services will be held at 5 p.m. Monday, Aug. 31, at Bethel Apostolic Tabernacle, Buchanan, with Bishop Alfred Deeds, Pastor Paul Deeds, and Pastor Patti Hass, officiating.

Burial will be in Mission Hills Memorial Gardens, Niles.

Friends may call from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday before the services at the tabernacle.

He was born on Aug. 3, 1931, in Logansport, Ind. and has lived here for 73 years.

He worked for Buchanan Steel Products from 1951 to 1987 and owned and operated Hopper Excavating for 35 years.

He was president of the local union UAW No. 1 for 27 years.

He was a member of  Pokagon United Methodist Church

On June 7, 1952, in Niles, he married Gwen Fisher Hopper, who survives.

Additional surviving family includes four sons, David (Peggy) Hopper of Niles, Rick (Connie) Harper of Dowagiac, Robert (Karen) Hopper of Niles and Ronald (Penny) Hopper of Niles; a daughter, Patty Masten of Niles; 15 grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren and a brother, Richard (Candice) Hopper of Niles.

Memorial contributions may be made to Pokagon United Methodist Church.

Arrangements were by Hoven Funeral Home, Buchanan.