William E. “Bill” Loper, 70, of Rochester, Indiana, passed away on Saturday,
Dec. 3,2011, surrounded by his family.
William Eugene was born September 17, 1941 to Robert Carlton Loper and
Selema Mildred (King) Loper in Valparaiso. He grew up in Chesterton, where
he attended Chesterton High School.
He married Karen Pendley on Jan. 1, 1960. They had four children and later
divorced. He married Cynthia Ault on Aug. 24, 1985, in Rochester, and gained
two more daughters.
Bill is survived by his wife, Cindy, at home; his children, Ginger (Loper)
Reed and husband Bob, Tariesa (Loper) Vendola, all of Rochester, Matthew
Loper and wife Lyn, Fulton, Kari (Loper) Felda and husband Jim, Kewanna,
Rhonda (Wiegand) Johnson and husband Brian, and Lauren (Wiegand) Jefferies
and husband Dan, all of Rochester.
He is also survived by 16 grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; two
brothers, Robert Loper, of Warsaw, and Richard Loper, of Cromwell and close
cousin, Gloria Vance of Mississippi. He was preceded in death by his parents
and one grandson.
A crane operator, Bill built pipelines for NIPSCO and later worked in the
NIPSCO plant at Royal Center. After retiring in 1996 with 37 years of
service, he worked at the local County Post store and later as a bus driver
for Rochester Community Schools and then a custodian for North Miami
Schools. He also drove a bus for Life Care Center.
Bill dedicated time to Rochester Little and Senior leagues and 4-H Horse and
Pony Club with his children and grandchildren. He was a Past Worshipful
Master in the F & AM Masonic Lodge No. 70 of Rochester, and a member of the
Shriner’s Horse Patrol. He also belonged to Eastern Woodland Carvers in
Converse.
Bill attended and was a member of First Baptist Church in Rochester. In
addition to serving in various ministries in the church, his worship there
inspired him to draw others close to Jesus through Emmaus Walk retreats and
church camp.
Friends are invited to join Bill’s family in celebrating his life during an
11 a.m. service Wednesday, Dec. 7, at First Baptist Church, 1000 Main St.,
Rochester, Ind. Dr. Mark Spencer will officiate.
Visitation will be 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday at Good Family Funeral Home,
1200 W. 18th St., Rochester, Ind. and one hour prior to the service Tuesday
at the church. Burial will be at the IOOF Cemetery, Rochester.
Gifts in his memory may be made to First Baptist Church or Martin Hall at
Life Care Center. Friends may sign Bill's guestbook or light a candle in his
memory at www.goodfamilyfh.com
Custom Search