Irvin Daniel "Dan" Hopper's Obituary
Irvin Daniel (Dan) Hopper of Micanopy, Florida and Mercer, Pennsylvania departed this earth on Saturday, March 28, 2015 while being lovingly cared for in Serenity Place, the Hospice Care Unit of the Lake City Florida VA Hospital.
Dan was born on January 24, 1937 in Lufkin, Texas. His parents were Irvin Washington Hopper and Norma Era Dunn Hopper.
He is survived by his loving wife, Juliana North Hopper. They were married on July 12, 1974 in Camp Hill, PA. She was his sole care giver throughout most of his illness.
Dan attended schools in East Texas, and in 1955, enlisted in the Army. He took his basic training at Ft. Ord, CA and attended technical school at Fort Devens, in Ayer, Massachusetts. After graduation he was assigned to Vint Hill Farms Station near Warrenton, VA, and was assigned to the 313th ASA Battalion, Ft. Bragg, NC. He received separation with the Good Conduct Medal in 1958 and after completing his military obligation was honorably discharged in 1963.
He was employed by Trailways Bus Co., in Washington DC, in the Insurance Safety Claims office in 1958. He transferred to Capitol Trailways, Harrisburg, PA as Assistant Traffic Manager and Supervisor of Terminals and Agencies. In 1968, Dan was hired by Nationwide Mutual Insurance Co. in Harrisburg, PA as a Family Personal Lines Underwriter. He became a Supervising Underwriter and achieved Master Underwriter status. He took early retirement in 1995.
Dan enjoyed acting and performed at the Allenberry Playhouse and Dinner Theater in Boiling Springs, PA and Oak Hall in Gainesville, FL. He was an avid story teller, bowler, golfer and Florida Gator Football fan. He and Julie enjoyed many happy hours collecting and restoring antiques and collectibles.
He was raised to Master Mason in Macon Ware Lodge #194 AF & AM Falls Church, VA in 1963, and celebrated his 50th Year in Masonry in 2013.
Dan had an abiding faith in God, and was baptized in the Church of Christ in 1950.
He is survived by his daughter Elizabeth Darcie Hopper Hale, Lemoyne, PA; his stepdaughter Susannah Lynne McQuown Shuey and her husband Timothy, Palmyra, PA; granddaughter Lillian Amanda Hale and step grandchildren, Joshua I.R. McQuown and Dyllan Makensie Shuey. He is also survived by his sister, Nancy Carol Hopper Doyle, Lufkin, TX; brother Richard Darwin Hopper, Richardson, TX; four nieces, two nephews, four grandnieces and four grandnephews. His parents, brother, Max Dean Hopper and baby sister Joann Hopper preceded him in death.
A Gathering of Family and Friends will be held Friday, April 3, 2015, 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., at WILLIAMS-THOMAS FUNERAL HOME DOWNTOWN, 404 North Main Street. A service will be held in Pennsylvania at a later date.
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