BRISTOL -- Vernon Arnold "Vern" Hopkins, 60, of County Road 4, died at 1:28 p.m. Thursday (May 1, 2008) at home from complications as a result of exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam.

He was born Nov. 4, 1947, in Pikeville, Ky., to Fred D. and Mary Ann (Ramsey) Hopkins. On June 21, 1971, he married Judy Holland in Goshen.

She survives along with two sons, Branden (Michelle) Hopkins of Goshen and Travis (Deva) Hopkins of Bristol; two grandchildren, Paige and Dylan; one brother, Buddy (Violet) Hopkins of Morganton, N.C.; and two sisters, Gladys (Jerry) Spiker of Fairview, Mo., and Peggy (Archie "Skip") Birkner of San Angelo, Texas.

Vern was preceded in death by one sister, Imogene Combs; and two brothers, Kenneth Hopkins and Robert R. Hopkins, who died in infancy.

Friends may call from 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday, May 4, 2008, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. Services will be at 11 a.m. Monday, with visitation one hour prior, at Riverview General Baptist Church in Elkhart.

Pastors Bob Wood and Rick Pirtle from Riverview, along with Pastor Ed Ritchie from the Elkhart County Community Baptist Church, will officiate. Burial will follow Monday's services in Oakridge Cemetery, Bristol, where the Elkhart DAV Chapter 19 and the U.S. Army Funeral Honor Guard will render military graveside honors. Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart, is handling arrangements.

Vern was a conductor for the Penn Central (later Conrail) Railroad for 20 years, retiring in 1993 after an injury on the job. He was an avid Dale Earnhardt and Denver Broncos fan, as well as a member of the North American Hunting Club, the NRA, Bristol American Legion Post 143 and Riverview General Baptist Church.

Along with hunting and fishing, Vern enjoyed teaching marksmanship and gun safety to the younger generations. He was a sergeant in the U.S. Army and served two tours of duty in Vietnam with the 101st Airborne Division as an "Emergency Classified Courier." In spite of his lifelong battle from exposure to Agent Orange, Vern took great pride in his military service.

Memorials may be given to Riverview General Baptist Church or Elkhart County Community Baptist Church. Online condolences may be sent by visiting www.billingsfuneralhome.com.

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