Robert W. Kopetz

Robert W. Kopetz, 101, of rural Oakley, passed away on June 12th, 2016 at Hickory Point Christian Village.

Robert was born on August 30, 1914, the son of immigrant parents, the late William F. Kopetz and Marie (Leipski) Kopetz of Decatur, IL.

He married the late Doris Maxine (Rose) Kopetz on October 3, 1943. They enjoyed sixty years of life together before Maxine preceded him in death. Maxine was devoted to Robert and shared in his love of business and the Decatur community.

Robert is survived by his two sons, Stephen R. Kopetz, and wife Susan G. (Olsen) Kopetz of Seattle, WA, Mark A. Kopetz and wife Sue E. (Rutherford) Kopetz of rural Oakley, IL, brother Walther H. Kopetz of Gurney, IL, sisters-in-law Betty (Rose) Johnston of Decatur and Virginia (Rose) Drake of Portland, OR. Two sisters and five brothers preceded Robert in death. Robert also leaves behind six grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and two step-great grandchildren.

Blessed with a strong Christian faith, Robert was a lifelong Confessional Lutheran and a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church. Through the course of his earlier years Robert served in many Church positions in a sister congregation.

Robert was a cofounder and President of Superior Welding Co., which he ran from 1946 until retiring in June of 1974. He was also a founding Director of Soy Capital Bank. Robert enjoyed his business years as well as the many personal relationships he developed over the course of his career.

Being civic-minded Robert served two terms as a Decatur City Councilman. He was a member of the Decatur Memorial Hospital Board of Directors from 1965-1974 and Chairman of the Decatur Memorial Hospital Foundation. In 1969 Robert and two other Decatur businessmen worked to establish the St. John’s Northeast Community Fund. From 1971-1972 Robert served as Chairman of the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. Robert loved the Decatur community and freely gave of his time in many other civic endeavors.

Visitation will be 5-7 P.M. Friday, June 17, 2016 at Brintlinger and Earl Funeral Home, and one hour prior to service time Saturday at the church. Funeral services will be 11:00 A.M. Saturday, June 18, at Pilgrim Lutheran Church. A graveside service will follow at St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, Decatur, IL. Memorials may be made to the Walther Theological Seminary or Hickory Point Christian Village.