Obituary of Gilbert Hoppert

Gilbert Frederick Hoppert was born in LaSalle on June 7, 1930. He was one of four children born to the late Norman and Gertrude (Redlinger) Hoppert. Gilbert served his country honorably in the United States Army from 1951 until 1953. He married the love of his life the former Flossie Tuttle on December 27, 1955 in Cumberland County, Tennessee. From this union would come the birth of two children. Flossie would care for the family as a homemaker and Gilbert would spend more than twenty-eight years working the assembly line employed by the Ford Motor Company at their Woodhaven Stamping Plant retiring in 1995. Gilbert had a great sense of humor. He enjoyed life and loved to have fun. Gilbert liked spending time with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. As a wedding gift he gave a granddaughter a pink flamingo, which became a traveling joke for years. He could always be counted on to send birthday and holiday cards to his loved ones. Gilbert was a longtime member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He enjoyed playing euchre, gardening, working with flowers and showing them to everyone that came to visit , and was an avid sports fan; loving his Detroit teams. Gilbert age 83 of Monroe passed away at 6:51am, Saturday, November 30, 2013. In addition to his parents his passing was preceded by his wife: Flossie in 2005, brother and sister-in-law: Dean (Joan) Hoppert, and sister and brother-in-law: Nellie (Lloyd) Keck. To cherish his memory, Gilbert leaves a daughter: Debbie (David) Brown of LaSalle, son: Donald (Kim) Hoppert of Monroe; brother: Virgil (Kathleen) Hoppert of Ida; five grandchildren: Julie (Michael) Miller, Jennifer Cusumano, David (Rebecca) Brown, Todd (Chelvia) Hoppert, and Katie (Andrew) Smith; four great grandchildren: Addison Miller and Brandon Sharon and MyKenna and Sophia Hoppert; and honorary great grandchild: Gage Schwartz. Friends may gather from 2:00-8:00pm, Monday, December 2, 2013 and from 11:00am until a Celebration of His Life at 2:00pm, Tuesday, December 3, 2013 at Merkle Funeral Service, South Monroe 14567 South Dixie Highway (734) 241-7070 (formerly Bennett Funeral Services). Pastor Jeffrey Heimsoth will officiate. Procession will follow to Erie Union Cemetery for burial where graveside services will be under the auspices of Erie VFW Post 3925. Memorials for those who desire are suggested to Trinity Lutheran Church Tuition Assistance Fund or Lakeside Missionary Baptist Church. Online guests may leave words of inspiration and comfort, share a photo, or make a donation by visiting www.merklefs.com; Online Tributes page.