The Last Sad Rites to a Grand Woman – The funeral obsequies of Mrs. M. A. Hopkins, whose death was noticed last week, were held at the Congregational church, Tuesday afternoon and largely attended, it being the manifest desire of our people generally to unite in this tribune of respect to one who stood so high in public estimation. The church was beautifully decorated and appropriately draped for the occasion, the rail in front of the pulpit being embellished with a solid bank of flowers, the spontaneous tribute of loving hearts and sorrowful friends. Conspicuous among the mourners were her three living sons, but the loss was not theirs alone. Rather Mrs. Hopkins was a woman so universally esteemed and beloved that her departure was a loss to the whole community and many besides the relatives felt that they could appropriately occupy the mourners' seat. At the close of the services her remains were conveyed to the family mausoleum where after a well spent life she sleeps well, awaiting the sound of the archangel's trumpet to proclaim the dawn of the resurrection morn. In addition to the excellent music furnished by the choir the sermon by Rev. W. B. Millard was one of such merit and exhibited so much of the character of the deceased that we surrender a large portion of our space...(Follows the funeral sermon, of which a portion is here extracted:) "Mary Ann Keeney was born in Lenox, Mass., July 21st, 1807, the only child of Asahel and Theodosia Keeney. She spent her girlhood in the delightful and well settled regions of the famous Berkshire county. On July 4th, 1831, she married the lamented Samuel F. Hopkins, and the young couple left at once for what seemed then the far distant and wild and wooded region of the West, the little village of Palmer, now St. Clair. It was a great change, especially for the young wife. She was often oppressed by it and often wished that the St. Clair river might be turned into a good road such as she had been accustomed to in western Massachusetts. But the married life thus begun was a peculiarly happy one – lasting 53 years – marked of course by toil, anxiety and poverty as well as wealth, but through all characterized by mutual confidence, helpfulness and happiness...consummated in the golden anniversary of 1881 which was celebrated by her many friends and a fitting address from their friend of 50 years, Rev. O. C. Thompson, of blessed memory. It is of great interest for us to recall the fact that in the house on Front street, still standing, which was the first home of Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins in the month of Sept. 1833 this church was organized. Of the 14 who joined as fit members of that early organization, one only so far as I know is now living. I refer to Nancy Higley, now of Ypsilanti. Both Mr. and Mrs. Hopkins joined on profession of faith at the time...(Mrs. M. A. Hopkins died) on April 15th..
The friends from abroad attending the funeral last Tuesday were Mrs. C. E. Doane, Cleveland; Miss Thompson, Detroit; Mrs. M. J. Anderson, Vermillion; Mr. Wm. H. Hopkins, Baraboo, Wis.; Mr. and Mrs. E. W. Hopkins, San Francisco.