Mabel Norma Hopkins, 102, passed into the arms of her Heavenly Father on Thursday, May 14, 2026 surrounded by her loving family.
Born January 17, 1924, in Mansfield, Ohio, Norma was the daughter of Harry and Mabel (Bushong) Hostetler. She graduated from Mansfield Senior High School in 1941. She met the love of her life, Gayle Hopkins, while roller skating. The couple married on December 11, 1942, and shared 72 remarkable years of love, devotion, and partnership together.
Norma dedicated her life to caring for her family as a wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and great-great grandmother. Gifted with talented hands and a servant’s heart, she spent countless hours crocheting and knitting sweaters, mittens, hats, scarves, towels, as gifts for those she loved. Her hands rarely rested, and she continued knitting well into her late 90s.
Blessed with remarkable health and surrounded by a loving and supportive family, Norma maintained her independence and thrived on her own at 102 years old. Norma and Gayle loved to travel. They cherished experiencing the beauty of California’s Redwood trees, as well as wintering in Corpus Christi and Gulf Shores.
A devoted Christian, Norma faithfully studied her Bible each day. Her love for Christ was evident in the way she loved and cared for her family. She instilled the importance of a faithful Christian walk in her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren, leaving a legacy of faith that will continue for generations.
She is survived by her daughter, Teri Schaefer; grandchildren, Paula (Herb) Sapp, Kathy (Craig) Shortridge, and Kristin Kennedy (Jeff Pearson); six great-grandchildren; eleven great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Gayle Hopkins; daughter, Gaye Leithauser; grandsons, Tom Schaefer and Scott Kennedy; sister, Geraldine Lee; and brother, Robert Hostetler.
A memorial gathering will be held Thursday, May 21, 2026, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bellville Snyder Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Funeral Home: Snyder Funeral Homes Bellville Chapel
Website: www.snyderfuneralhomes.com