PLYMOUTH – C. Vernon “Hoppy” Hopkins, 75, died Dec. 29, 2007, at a Bangor hospital after a long illness. He was born June 11, 1932, in Plymouth, the beloved son of Ernest G. and Erma M. (Ludden) Hopkins. He married Eleanor Austin, Oct. 24, 1953, in Newport. Vernon was a heavy equipment operator for most of his working life. We worked for the town of Plymouth and the Maine Department of Transportation as a snowplow operator for several years. He also was employed by Warren Brothers, Ashland Tilcon and Tilcon Construction Cos., for many years. He was a member and past president of Goldcrest Riders Snowmobile Club, Dixmont and a former member of the Plymouth Grange. He enjoyed owning and racing horses at local tracks and at state fairs. He is survived by his wife of 54 years, Eleanor F. Hopkins of Plymouth; his mother, Erma M. Hopkins of Pittsfield; two sons, Charles L. Hopkins and his companion, Angela, of Plymouth and Derwood A. Hopkins and his wife, Susie, of Dix-mont; three daughters and their husbands, Debra A. and David Pratt of Plymouth, Car-lene E. and Richard Lawler Sr. of Dixmont and Cheryl L. and Ronald Bennett Sr. of Plymouth; two sisters, Glenice and her husband, Zeb Trask, of Newport and Nadine Tasker of Plymouth; 11 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren and three on the way; several nieces, nephews and cousins. He was predeceased by his father, Er-nest G. Hopkins; two brothers, Richard and Lyndon; a sister, Marilyn; and two grandsons. Funeral services will be conducted 10 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 1, 2008, at Emmanuel Bible Baptist Church, Plymouth, with the Rev. Robert Emrich officiating. Friends may call an hour before the service at the church. Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Brown Funeral Home and Cremation Service Center, 34 High St., Newport. Friends who wish may make memorial donations in Vernon’s name to Pine Tree Camp Ride-In. Donations may be sent to Pine Tree Society, P.O. Box 518, Bath, ME 04530. To sign an online guest book and leave written tributes, please visit www.philipbrownfuneralhome.com.
C. VERNON HOPKINS
