Obituary of Virgil D. Hopler

Virgil D.”Virg” Hopler died Friday, April 3, 2015. He was 81. Born in Dover on April 16, 1933, he grew up in Rockaway, NJ. He resided in Mine Hill, NJ for many years before moving to upstate New York, Norwich and then Booneville before retiring to Lexington, SC in 2011. Virg was employed by the Associated Press as an Electronics Teletype Technician for 35 years retiring in 1998. He served in the United States Air Force during the Korean War Era, serving in the 485th Command Squadron –Strategic Air Command from 1953-1957. Virg continued to serve his country as a member of the American Legion for 58 years. He was a Life member at Post 245 Lake Hopatcong, NJ. He served as the Post Commander of Post 391 Mine Hill, NJ from 1971-1973. He served as the Morris County Commander of the American Legion from 1975-1976. Virg was an exempt member of the Mine Hill Fire Department. He was an avid hunter. He was fan of the NFL, favorite team being Washington Redskins and a fan of NASCAR, his favorite driver being Carl Edwards #19. Virg was a race-car driver at the Dover Raceway in the early 1950s. Virg was predeceased by his mother Ruth (Kagan), his father Merrill “Mickey,” his brother Leslie, and his brother Dalton “Hoppy.” Survivors include his loving wife Ellen (Egbert); his children: Darlene of Mine Hill, NJ, Robyne of Lake Hopatcong NJ, Scott and his wife Sharon of Elbridge, NY, Kawren Learn and her husband Doug of Lexington, SC, Virginia “Ginny” Hartwell of West Columbia, SC; his grandchildren: William Goble, Samantha Lupo (Lasso), Niklas Lasso, Joseph Hopler, Cody Hopler, Brooke Hopler, Daniel Learn, Darrell Learn, Dylan Learn, Jessica Bell, Tylor Lodge; his great-grandchildren: Giavanna Lupo, Sophia Lupo, Serenity Robbins, Harnony Sligh, Caelyn Sligh, Alayna Smith; his brothers and sister: Wayne, Beverly “Butch,” Keith, Glenn, Donna Mower and a host of other relatives, nieces, nephews and friends. Visitation will be Wednesday, April 8, 2015 from 4-8 p.m. at Tuttle Funeral Home, 272 Route 10, Randolph (www.tuttlefh.com), where Legion services will be held at 6:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Virgil D. Hopler may be made to the Muscular Dystrophy Foundation, the Heart Association, the Diabetes Association or Multiple Sclerosis.