Alice Ruth Hopper, 89, of Springfield died peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, September 27, 2016.

Alice was born on November 20, 1926, in Berlin the daughter of Fred E. and Allie Buchanan Harlan.  She married Virgil “Dean” Hopper on March 19, 1948; he preceded her in death on June 5, 2009.

She was also preceded in death by her parents; one son, Robert “Bob” Hopper; and a granddaughter, Laura Hopper.

Alice was the last survivor of 13 children. Her six brothers were Ivan, Dewey, Delmar, Bill, Herbert and Elvis Harlan. Her six sisters were Goldie McCull, Edna Clark, Nadine Bisby, Bernice Young, Edith Gabriel, and Eileen McAfee.

Alice, along with Dean, love gardening, quilting and traveling. She and Dean spent hours tending to her flowers and yard, and enjoyed the birds and squirrels. Alice was always willing to share 'a start' of a flower with anyone who passed by. Creating more than 150 baby quilts was a great winter pastime for the two of them. But their greatest joy was being able to give these quilts as gifts to young parents. As for traveling, they enjoyed many vacations with their daughter, Janis, and her family, covering much of the United States.

She is surviving by son, Dennis D. (Lucy) Hopper; and daughter, Janis J. (John) Spann both of Springfield; six grandchildren, Amy (Dan) Spann O’Conner of Wesley Chapel, FL, Todd (Jamie Bundy) Spann of Springfield, Jeffrey Hopper of Afghanistan and his wife, Sarah, of Plymouth, UK, Jamie (Bill) Romines of Buffalo, Sara Hopper of Rochester, and Jill Hopper of Mt. Vernon, IA; three great-grandchildren, Keeley and Lauren O'Conner, and Colton Romines; one step great-granddaughter, Emma Evans; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Visitation will be from 8:30 – 9:30 a.m. on Monday, October 3, 2016 at Elm Street Christian Church.  Graveside services will follow at 10:00 a.m. at Camp Butler National Cemetery with her son-in-law, John Spann officiating.

Memorial contributions may be made to Elm Street Christian Church.

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