Gerald Lee Hopkins

Gerald Lee Hopkins, 77, of Moline, IL, passed away, November 16, 2025, at his home.

Graveside Services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 20, 2025, at the Rock Island National Cemetery.  Those wishing to attend the graveside should plan to meet at Esterdahl Mortuary and Crematory, Ltd., Moline at 9:15 a.m. for the procession to the cemetery.  Cremation rites have been accorded.  Military Honors to be conducted by the VVA (Vietnam Veterans of America).  Memorials may be made to Quad City Animal Welfare Center (Milan, IL).

Gerald was born on October 22, 1948, in Moline, IL, the son of Leo and Mary (Daufeldt) Hopkins. He graduated in 1966 from Moline Senior High School and enlisted in the US Navy in 1968, until getting honorably discharged in September of 1972. He was an aviation mechanic and achieved the rank of E5. Gerald married Teresa Ege in 1969, and together they had two children, Jamie and Nathan, after he was discharged from the Navy. They divorced in 1982, and later in 1986 he married Pam Beck (Anderson). They then divorced in 1996, and he remained single until his passing. Gerald joined the Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local Union 25 in 1978, as an apprentice and afterwards worked as an HVAC tech for J.L. Brady Co. and later for Total Maintenance Inc., until his retirement in 2004.

He is survived by his loving children, Jamie and Nathan Hopkins; grandson, Cameron; sister, Patricia Ragan; nieces, Chelsey and Nicole (Spencer); great nieces and nephew, Brooklyn Presley, Levi, and Thea.

He was preceded in death by his parents Leo and Mary.

The family would like to thank UnityPoint Hospice, the ICU staff at UnityPoint in Rock Island, the Moline Police and Fire Departments, and the providers at OSF St. Anthony’s in Rockford and OSF St. Francis in Peoria, for their great care during these times.

Memories may be shared online by visiting esterdahl.com.