Camilla Hopper

  Camilla Hopper, 108, of rural Streator passed away Thursday, December 15, 2022 at Liberty Village Estates in Streator.

  Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday, December 22nd at Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore.  Msgr. Philip Halfacre will officiate.

  Visitation will be from 9-11 A.M. Thursday, December 22nd at the Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore.

  Burial will be in Lostlands Cemetery in Eagle Township.

  Born July 5, 1914 at the Hopper family farm home in Osage Township she was the daughter of Samuel and Anna (Whalen) Hopper.

  She is survived by a first cousin, John (Christine) Whalen of Streator; numerous second cousins including, Melissa (Joe) Whalen- Smith of Streator who became her personal caretaker and driver for the last several years and Jay (Amber) Whalen of Streator who was her tenant farmer.

  She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother and sister in law, Francis and Lucille Hopper.

  Camilla attended the one room Garfield School House in Garfield, Illinois as a child.  She later graduated from Streator Township High School.  After high school she attended The Sisters of St. Francis College where she sought to become a Nun.  Due to her mother’s illness she returned home and ended up attending Illinois State Normal University where she earned her teaching degree.

  Camilla started her teaching career at a one room school house and later taught at St. Xavier’s (Marquette) which was an all-girls school.  She then taught at Oakland Park School, Streator High School and St. Stephen’s Grade School until her retirement.

  Through the years she also managed the daily operations of the Hopper family farm which she continued until her death.

  She was a member of the former Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church at Eagle and currently was a member of Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore.  She was also a member of the 3rd Order of the Secular Franciscans.  She played the organ at Eagle Church and taught CCD classes for many years.

  The keys to Camilla’s longevity was practicing her penmanship each day, learning something new each day and always continuing to exercise, her motto was “use or lose it”.  She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by her loving family.

  The family wishes to thank the staff and aides at Liberty Village Assisted Living for the special care and love they showed to Camilla.

  Memorials may be directed to Sts. Peter and Paul Church in Leonore or the Seminarians of the Peoria Diocese.

  Online condolences may be left for the family at www.solontelford.com

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