Obituary
George Arthur Hoppensteadt passed away peacefully at the Cornerstone Hospice in the Villages, Florida, on Saturday, December 5, 2020. George was born in the family home on Maple Street in Itasca, Illinois on September 6, 1931, to George and Anna Hoppensteadt. He grew up there, along with his eight brothers and sisters, and it was in Itasca he met and married his wife Sheila, his lifelong love and companion. He graduated from Elgin High School in 1949, after which he attended Valparaiso University for three years, studying Government and Business. He served in Korea as a medic just after the close of open hostilities. Following his discharge he went on to a forty-year career with Fireman’s Fund Insurance company, where his compassion for people helped many through personal losses and several natural and man-made disasters including Hurricane Andrew, Hurricane Iniki, the Northridge earthquake and the bombing of Harvey’s Wagon Wheel at Lake Tahoe. George loved to play golf, bowl, cook and you could often hear him singing as he walked around the house. He loved visiting his large family and attending annual reunions of his brothers and sisters, and in later years after his eyesight began to fail, he enjoyed sitting in a big comfortable chair while Sheila read him his favorite novels. George is survived by his beloved wife Sheila, his sons Robert and Jon, five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren, sisters Emily Longfield and Lorraine Heinrich and his brother Norman and his wife Diane Hoppensteadt. His youngest son Charles passed away in 2014.
Another American hero has fallen, and will now join his brothers as they pass in review within the Army's of the Almighty. Our most sincere condolences to George's extended family, and in particular to dear Sheila and Jon, our longtime neighbors and friends whom we know so well. George's interest and concern for people remained evident into his retired life, and he will always be remembered by us as a personable, caring, and compassionate man. Our hearts go out to all of you. George's courage, and memory, will continue to inspire us as we also face the delicate challenges of aging.
Dick & Pauline Sheehan