John Donley “Hoppy” Hopkins passed away Friday October 29th, in SGH. He was born March 6, 1937 in Sistersville, West Virginia to John Dempsey and Edna Brown Hopkins, and was a lifelong resident and former Mayor of Paden City, WV. John was a member of the United Methodist Church in New Martinsville.

In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his sister Estelle V. Hopkins. John is survived by his wife of 63 years Barbara McCoy Hopkins, Son Eric (Therese Vanzo) Hopkins of Morgantown, Daughter Juanita (John) Van Ryzin of Madison, New Jersey, and granddaughter Jordan Pfohl of Livingston, New Jersey.

From 1961-1963 he was active in the US Army Reserves. He was retired from Mobay and Hopkins Photography. He was a member of Wetzel Lodge 39 AF & AM and a Charter member of the Paden City Lions Club. He served on the Tyler County Development Authority, The Council of Senior Tyler Countians, and was a member of the Paden City Foundation and the Route 2/ I-68 Authority. He was the commander of Post 86 American Legion, a Past President of the Athletic Association, Charter Member of the EMS in PC and a Volunteer Fireman. He was honored in 1996 as a “Hometown Hero”, and was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Award in 2003. He was adopted by PCHS Class of 1979 as their professional photographer.

Hoppy was an active presence in the community as well as the state as past Chair of the General Legislative Committee of the WV Silver Haired Legislature. Hoppy was a master craftsman and loved working in his wood shop. One of his greatest joys was making things for others. He loved his family, his church and his Lord. His pleasant personality was contagious to everyone he met and he always had a good story to tell.

Services will be held on November 20, 2021 at the New Martinsville United Methodist Church. Visitation begins at 11 AM with a Memorial Service at 1 PM. Honor Guard will conduct services at the end of the memorial service.

Memorial contributions may be made to the United Methodist Church of New Martinsville, WV at 10 Howard Jeffers Drive, New Martinsville, WV 26155; or the Paden City Flag Fund, P.O. Box 233, Paden City, WV 26159.