This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: STOPPELBERG, THOMAS, FINLEY, HOPPS, DORBIN, BRONSON, KIRBY Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/25977/mb.ashx Message Board Post: STOPPELBERG, Thomas Lee Of Portage Tom passed away Saturday morning, March 13, 2010 following a courageous six year battle with Carcinoid Cancer. He was born May 26, 1952 in Kalamazoo, the son of Harm and Alice (Thomas) Stoppelberg. Growing up in Kalamazoo's Oakwood neighborhood, Tom was a graduate of Loy Norrix High School in 1970, where he played football. He was a veteran of the United States Army for three years during the Vietnam Conflict, stationed in Scofield Barracks, Oahu, Hawaii. He served as a Sergeant in military intelligence. He learned to love Hawaii, but hate pineapple. After returning to Kalamazoo, Tom met and married his first wife, Linda Finley in 1976. He adopted her son, Thomas James "TJ". They later had a daughter, Michelle. They divorced in 2001. He graduated from Kalamazoo Valley Community College in 1995 with an Associate's Degree in Applied Science. Tom worked hard all his life at Fabrical, Burroughs and especially Kalamazoo Aeromotive, where he was Production Supervisor until his med! ical retirement in 2004. In 2002, he met Barbara Hopps and they married in 2004. They celebrated nearly six years of a happy, loving marriage. He helped her finish raising her three children, and loved them as his own. Tom enjoyed camping, the Lake Michigan beach for horseshoes, sun-sets, and walks to collect beach glass. He also enjoyed woodworking, NASCAR, University of Michigan Football and Marching Band. Most of all he loved his family dearly and taught many life lessons, but especially those about love and endurance. He leaves to cherish his memory, his wife, Barbara Hopps; his two children, Thomas James "TJ" (Holly) Stoppelberg, Michelle (Matt Dorbin) Stoppelberg-Dorbin, three step-children, Jeremy (Danielle) Bronson, Hilary Bronson, and Ariel Bronson; sister, Mary (Richard) Kirby; sister-in-law, Kathy (Tom Grace) Hopps; brothers-in-law, Gary (Maribeth) Hopps, and Rob (Delsa) Hopps; and many nieces and nephews. Preceding him in death were his parents, and an infant si! ster, Carol Louise Stoppelberg. Funeral services for Tom will be at 12 :00 PM on Wednesday at Oakwood Bible Church, 4100 Oakland Drive, Kalamazoo, with Pastor Stephen A. Johnson officiating. Friends may visit with the family on Tuesday from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM at Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Westside Chapel, 3926 S. 9th Street, and on Wednesday from 11:00 AM until the time of services at the church. Interment will be in Mt. Ever-Rest Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be directed to Oakwood Bible Church or Hospice Care of South-west Michigan. Please visit www.langelands.com to sign Tom's online guestbook or leave a condolence to the family. Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on March 14, 2010 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.