Bernard Kopitar

Bernard Paul Kopitar, age 88, of Crystal Lake passed away on Sunday, July 12, 2015 at JourneyCare Hospice in Barrington, IL with his loving daughters by his side.
Born August 11, 1926 in Chicago to Frank and Julia (nee Heisen) Kopitar, Bernard attended St. Aloysius grade school and Crane High School where he participated in the ROTC program. Upon graduation in 1944, he attended Michigan State as part of the Army Specialized Training Program, followed by training in Biloxi, Mississippi and Langley Field in Virginia as an aviation machinist. He was discharged from the Air Force in 1947 after serving a year in Panama.
After leaving the service, Bernie met Marie, his wife of 64 years, at the church dances. They enjoyed their love of dancing and numerous vacations throughout their years in Arlington Heights and Crystal Lake, and were long-time members of St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church.
Bernie’s career as a carpenter and construction superintendent spanned over 40 years, including employment with Carp Construction, Soberg & Sullivan, and Trapani Construction. Bernie’s hobbies were reading history and wartime books; woodworking and model building; swimming at HealthBridge Fitness Center; and even most recently, weekly pinochle games at Senior Services in Crystal Lake. He was an avid Chicago sports fan.
Bernie is survived by his daughters, Julie (Martin) Tampa, and Madelyn (Tim) Wild; his grandchildren, Gregory, Anthony, Rachel (Nick), Emily and Jenny; and a sister, Helen (Richard) Gerlach.
In addition to his loving wife, Marie, he was preceded in death by his parents; and sister, Wilma.
A visitation will be held Wednesday, July 15, 2015 from 3:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Davenport Family Funeral Home and Crematory, 419 E Terra Cotta Ave (Route 176) Crystal Lake. Prayers will be said at the funeral home Thursday, July 16 at 12:15pm followed by a procession to church.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, July 16, 2015 at 1pm, at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 451 W. Terra Cotta Ave. (Route 176) Crystal Lake, followed by burial in Nunda Township Holcombville Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Bernard’s memory may be made to JourneyCare Foundation, 405 Lake Zurich Rd., Barrington, IL 60010 or to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.org.

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