Lee Lopeman

Yates City – Lee Edward Lopeman, 89, of Yates City, passed away at 2:19 p.m. on Thursday November 26, 2015, at Kindred Hospital in Peoria, IL.
He was born on August 27, 1926, in Cramer, IL, son of  John Leslie and Mary (Neal) Lopeman.
He married Mary Inez Beamer on April 3, 1948,  in Peoria, IL. She passed away on January 21, 1999.
He is survived by six children, Patrick (Jennifer) Lopeman of Milwaukee, Mary Jane Housenga (Larry Hammer) of Hanna City, Susan (Ted) Sarver of Yates City, Linda (Katsumi) Matsui of Kikugawa, Japan, John Lopeman of Yates City,  and Nancy (John) Lenox of Yates City.  He had twelve grandchildren: Leslie Gavelys, Christopher Zeglen, Matthew Reeder, Jana Cook, Mikiko Takekawa, Robert Simpson, Lydia Hindahl, James Lopeman, Gregory Lopeman, Naoki Matsui, Marcus Lopeman, and Joseph Sarver.  He also had ten great-grandchildren.  Also surviving are two sisters, Marilou Sutherland of Peoria, and Donna (Don) Bane of Janesville, WI.
Preceding him in death were his parents and two brothers, Dean and Don Lopeman.
Lee served in the US Army from 1945-1947 during World War II.  He was in the Pacific Theater serving in the Philippines.  He was very proud to be part of the “The Greatest Generation”. He instilled hard work, devotion to family, devotion to country and community serving on many local boards during his lifetime.
Lee was a lifelong farmer and also had many different occupations during his lifetime.  He was co-owner in Lopeman and Sons Grain Company.  He also worked at WR Grace, O’s Gold Seed, Prairie Farmer, American Distillery, and Pabst Brewing.
He was a 32 Degree Mason and a member of the  Oddfellows in Farmington.  He was a member of the Elmwood VFW, American Legion, and the Farmington Moose.
He was a wonderful storyteller.  He never let the truth get in the way of a good story.  He enjoyed genealogy.  Lee had a wonderful memory.  He was a man of true grit.
Visitation will be Sunday November 28, 2015, at Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood from 2 to 5 p.m.  Funeral services will be Monday November 30, 2015, at 10 a.m. at the funeral home.  Interment will be at the Elmwood Township Cemetery.
Memorials can be made to the Salem Township Public Library in Yates City, Save the Yates City Gazebo Fund, or Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.
To view Lee’s memorial tribute video or to leave online condolences, please visit www.oakshinesfuneralhome.com.  Oaks-Hines Funeral Home in Elmwood is in charge of arrangements.