Cletus Hoppe

Cletus Wayne Hoppe, 82, of Seward, beloved husband of Effie Alene, passed peacefully from his battle with lung cancer at Javon Bea Medical Center, surrounded by family at his side, listening to Elvis singing I Did it My Way.

Cletus was born in Freeport, September 13, 1941 to the late Glenn Henry Hoppe and Genivieve Althea Burke Hoppe. He served in the Army proudly during 1959 -1962. Notably, he served in Germany and saw first hand the Berlin Wall going up. He recently celebrated his military service with the Vets Roll, a bus trip to Washington D.C. with his dear friend Alvie and many other area vets, touring the various war memorials.

Cletus married Effie Alene Goetschel November 7, 1965 and they were happily together for 58 years. He worked in Rockford, at National Lock, then spent most of his career in the Commercial Printing Industry working for Duplex Products in Sycamore, General Business Forms, Metro Label, and Zebra Technologies.

Cletus loved the outdoors, foraging for morels, fishing, camping, golfing and skiing. He loved being on the water whether it was in a boat, looking for his golf ball, on the ice or on a beach looking for ocean curiosities. Traveling to Florida and visiting the kids in Colorado and North Carolina were always an adventure. Later in life, he could often be found working in his yard or on his pond, engaged in one of his many pet projects.

Cletus was an active member of the Jaycees for many years in Rockford, supported the Boys’ Club, acting as a referee and mentor, and served as President of the Junior Tackle Football League in Belvidere. He was a past trustee for the Seward Historical Society and most recently, he was a commissioner of the Seward Park District, serving as vice-president and handling the scheduling of events held in the building.

Cletus was preceded in death by his parents, Glenn Henry and Genevieve Althea, his brothers Richard and James, and sisters, Patricia and Penny, not to mention his faithful furry companions, Sheba and Doxie.

Survivors include his wife, Effie; his children, Charles Hoppe (Monique) and Tina Butte (Brian); grandchildren, Christopher Hoppe, Jordan Roberts, Katya Butte, Tatianna Butte, Kirsten Butte, Braedon Butte, Madelynn Hoppe, Makenzy Hoppe, Maxtynn Hoppe and Marshall Hoppe, his sisters, Sharon Johnson and Glenda Sue Morse (Keith). And his faithful, furry beloved cat Bobbie.

A Memorial Ceremony will be held at 11:00 a.m., Saturday, November 11, 2023 in Seward Congregational Church, 3029 S. Pecatonica Road Seward, IL with Pastor Joel Hicke officiating. Final resting place to be in Shepherd of the Hill Lutheran Church Cemetery, Schapville, IL. A visitation will be held at the Church from 9:30 a.m. until time of Ceremony, Saturday.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution to Vets Roll, Friends of Seward Park District, or Seward Historical Society, Seward Congregational Church