John David Hooper, Sr.

John David Hooper, Sr., 76, of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, died Thursday, July 13, 2023.

His life began April 19, 1947, in Fairfield, Illinois, the second youngest of eleven children born to Jennie Brock-Hooper. He married Rosemary Burgoyne July 23, 1966, in Three Oaks.

John cherished his family and was the backbone and staple.  His grandchildren were his life.  He was the first to care for and love the abundant animals in his life, despite his occasional complaints.

He was a hard-working man and an amazing provider, always ready to help and lend a hand to anyone in need. If someone needed something, John would either have it or know how to obtain it.  He was phenomenally handy; truly an “engineer without a degree.” John always knew a little bit about everything and taught his children and grandchildren an abundance of valuable lessons over the years.

He touched the lives of many young people in the baseball community, from T-ball to American Legion Ball. The family couldn’t watch a major league game without hearing a T-ball story from John. He was also an avid White Sox and Notre Dame fan.

John had a successful career running the industries of the Indiana State Prison.  In retirement, he discovered a love for all things auctions, swap meets, cars, and car parts and became an avid collector of antique cars and trucks. John built the home he and his wife lived in.  He split firewood to heat the entire house every winter without fail, hardly ever using the furnace.  

 John will be greatly missed by family and friends. He is survived by his wife of fifty-seven years, Rosemary Hooper of Rolling Prairie, Indiana; daughter, Carrie (Scott) Colpitts of LaPorte, Indiana; son, John (Jennifer) Hooper, Jr. of New Carlisle, Indiana; grandchildren, Bryce (Ashley) Hooper, Madeline Hooper, Wyatt Hooper, Faith Hooper; great grandchildren, Khloe Hooper, Lily Hooper, Daisy Hooper; sisters, Zola Shott of Rolling Prairie, Indiana, Lola Brown of Fairfield, Illinois, Gladys Harkrider of Buchanan; and a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents; two sisters, Wilma, Wanda; five brothers, Jimmy, Delbert, Larry, Ivan, and Billy.

Family and friends will gather to celebrate John’s life at a later date and time to be announced.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Wagner Family Funerals Pobocik Chapel, Three Oaks. Please share a memory or a message online: wagnercares.com.

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