Harlow Hopkins

Harlow Hopkins of Bourbonnais, IL, passed away peacefully January 15, 2024, at Miller Health Care in Kankakee, IL. He was born January 25, 1931 in Flint, MI, to Russel and Verda Hopkins of Twelve Mile, IN. At an early age, he began a lifelong service to Christ (and read the Bible through many times). He began playing the clarinet at the age of 11. While attending Flint Northern High School, he played and was a drum major. He continued playing for over 60 years until he said he "didn't like the way he sounded anymore". In 1949 he entered Olivet College to major in music. There he met Harriet Boughan, and they married in 1953. They have a son Mark, and daughter in law Brenda of Woodridge, IL and two grandchildren, Jason of Tinley Park, IL and Dana of Bolingbrook, IL. Teaching woodwinds as a college student, Harlow continued as an adjunct at Olivet while working on the MMEd degree at The American Conservatory of Music in Chicago. He also enjoyed serving as minister of music in Harvey, IL, and later at First and Immanuel Baptist churches in Kankakee, IL and Bloomington East Side Nazarene Church in Bloomington, IN. As a member of College Church in Bourbonnais, IL he was often an interim Director of Music and served on the church board. In 1955, his life took a different direction when he was drafted into the Army and sent to Fort Knox, KY. There he played in the 3rd Armored Division Band. When the division was sent to Frankfurt, Germany he auditioned for and was accepted into the 7th Army Symphony, stationed in Stuttgart, Germany. For many years this group served as United States music ambassadors, giving free concerts across NATO countries. Returning to Olivet in 1957, he began years of involvement in community music by serving on the Community Concert Board. Later the Kankakee Valley Symphony Orchestra was organized, and he played in its first concert. He then became its conductor for two years. In 1963, life changed again. He and his family moved to Bloomington, IN to attend Indiana University, where he finished his DMus degree. Returning to Olivet in 1966 he became Chairman of the Division of Fine Arts and also resumed teaching, conducting the Concert Band, Symphony, and playing with the Canterbury Trio. Rejoining the KVSO as principal clarinetist, he also was a KVSO board member and president, and co-founded the New Horizons Band. In 1991, Olivet honored him with the naming of the Harlow E. Hopkins Alumni Center. As a member of the newly formed Rotary Club of Bradley-Bourbonnais, he wrote the prize-winning newsletter “Sprocket”. Rotary and Olivet honored his service with the dedication of the sculpture "The Music Maker" in Larsen Fine Arts Center on Olivet’s campus. Harlow retired in 1996. While his family already misses his physical presence and his devotion to them, they will also miss his wry sense of humor and vacations in Door County, WI. Harlow had countless fantastic experiences that took him around the world with so many people he loved. Yet, he still found the simple things in life to be the most enjoyable. The Hopkins family enjoyed a long tradition of spending a vacation together each summer in Door County, WI. They would eat delicious ice cream and enjoy the beautiful artwork God provided watching the sun set over Green Bay. We look forward to these sunsets knowing Harlow just might have a hand in their beauty now that he is in Heaven. We are forever grateful for the life he led and the example he left to follow. Visitation will be held at Clancy-Gernon Funeral Home in Bourbonnais, IL on Friday, Feb. 2 from 3 P.M. to 6 P.M. Saturday visitation will be at College Church of the Nazarene in Bourbonnais beginning 10 A.M. preceding the funeral at 11 A.M. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Olivet Nazarene University and Uplifted Care of Bourbonnais.

Harlow Hopkins

January 25, 1931 - January 15, 2024