Kopff, Herbert

Rev. Herbert C. Kopff, 92, of St. Louis, Mo., died Monday, August 15, 2005, at Alexian Brothers Lansdowne Village in St. Louis, Mo. Father Kopff was born in St. Louis, Mo. on March 30, 1913, son of Benedict A. and Caroline (Spieler) Kopff. He attended St. Aloysius and Holy Family grade schools in St. Louis and St. Louis Preparatory Seminary. He completed his priesthood education at Kendrick Seminary. Father Kopff was ordained for the Diocese of Belleville on June 11, 1938 by Bishop Henry Althoff at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Belleville. His first assignment was as parochial vicar at St. Dominic Parish, Breese, and then he served St. Andrew Parish at Murphysboro. He received his first pastorate in April 1945 at St. Joseph, Equality, and the missions at Stonefort, New Burnside, Vienna at Metropolis. The next year, he became the first resident pastor of St. Rose of Lima, Metropolis, with the mission of St. Paul’s in Vienna. Father Kopff later served as pastor at St. Joseph Parish at Ridgway. He celebrated his Golden Jubilee on June 11, 1988 at St. Francis Parish in Aviston where he served as pastor from September 9, 1965 until his retirement on October 1, 1989. He celebrated his 60th anniversary of ordination on June 14, 1998 and his 65th in 2003. In the diocese, Father Kopff served as Chaplain of the L. A. Lambert Council #1581 Ridgway Knights of Columbus; a member of the Priest’s Senate; a member of the Board of Directors of the Clergymen’s Aid Society for over 30 years; the Deanery Director of the Diocesan Council of Catholic Women for the North Central Deanery and moderator of St. Jude’s School for Exceptional Children. He was a member of the Aviston Knights of Columbus Council #11110 and a member of Bishop Altoff 4th Degree Assembly. Father Kopff established the Khoury Leagues in Clinton and Massac counties and Kopff Field in Aviston was dedicated in his honor on June 4, 2005. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers and their spouses, Cornelius and Bernadine Kopff and Sylvester and Agnes Kopff; a nephew and his wife, Donald and Dawn Kopff; and a niece, Florence Marie Kopff. He is survived by his nephews, Rev. Marvin Kopff of St. Louis, Joseph Kopff and wife Lois of Goodyear, Arizona, Herbert Kopff of St. Louis, and Thomas Kopff and wife Debbie of St. Louis; and his nieces, Marianne Norrenberns and husband Jack of St. Louis, and Nancy Healy of Goodyear, Arizona. He will be remembered as a beloved uncle, great uncle, great great uncle, cousin, and a wonderful and good friend to many people and parishioners. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Friday, August 19, 2005 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Aviston, Ill. with The Rev. Jack McEvilly, V.G. officiating. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, Aviston, Ill. A Rite of Christian Burial will begin with the Reception of the Body at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Aviston by the Very Reverend David M. Darin, V.F. at 3 p.m. on Thursday, August 18, 2005 with visitation to follow until 9 p.m. Visitation will also be held on Friday, August 19, from 8 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. The Knights of Columbus will recite the rosary at 7 p.m.; there will be a 4th Degree Chalice Service at 7:30 p.m. and the American Legion will have a service at 8 p.m. on Thursday, all at the church. Memorials may be made to the donor’s choice.