John W. Chopard

August 23, 1933 - November 13, 2013

John W. Chopard of Cadillac passed away November 13, 2013 at his home. He was 80. He was born August 23, 1933 in Cleveland, Ohio to Harold and Pauline (Townsend) Chopard. Mr. Chopard graduated from Mount Pleasant High School in 1951. He then went on to receive his Bachelor of Science degree from Central Michigan University and later received his Master's Degree from Michigan State University in 1963. He served in the United States Army from 1955 to 1957 at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah with the Chemical Corps. Mr. Chopard taught in Cadillac Area Public School system from 1958 until 1964. He served as assistant principal and later elementary principal of Cooley, McKinley and Franklin Elementary Schools from 1964 to 1971. He then taught fourth grade at McBain Agricultural School from 1971 until 1976 before becoming principal. Mr. Chopard worked a total of 14 years at Cadillac Area Public Schools and a total of 26 years for McBain Agricultural Schools. In June 1994 he retired from education. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, camping, woodworking and decoy carving. Mr. Chopard also enjoyed activities with his family and reading, especially Civil War books. He served on the board of directors at Love, INC. beginning in January 1995. He was an active member of the Northern Light Church of Cadillac. On March 25, 1972 in Lake City he married the former Janice (Odette) Hillman and she survives him along with children: Andrew (Jennifer) Hillman of Lake City, Laurie (Richard) Rohloff of Grant and Jona (Paul) Seeley of Tustin; three grandchildren: Zacary and David and Joslyn; one niece and two nephews. He was preceded in death by his mother in 1951; his father in 1992; a sister, Dorelyn Rech in 2002 and an infant brother, Keith. Memorial services will be held 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 23, 2013 at the Northern Light Church in Cadillac with Reverend John Mellish and Pastor Scott Sacrey officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Northern Light Church in Cadillac. An online guestbook is available at www.petersonfh.com.