David William “Bill” Hotger, 78, died in a grain bin accident Thursday, June 13, 2019, on his farm along Highway 6 west of Kellogg. At around 8:10 a.m., Kellogg and Newton Fire and Emergency Medical Services personnel responded. Hotger was flown by MercyOne helicopter from the scene to Unity Point Health – Iowa Methodist Medical Center in Des Moines where he died.
A funeral service celebrating Bill’s life was held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, June 19, at Wallace Family Funeral Home and Crematory in Newton. Since Bill would not want anyone to wear a suit, casual attire, especially if it was IH red and not green, was encouraged. Memorials to the Kellogg Township Fire Department or to the St. Luke United Methodist Building Fund may be left at the funeral home.
Bill, the son of Clarence and Verna (Eichner) Hotger, was born Jan. 15, 1941, in Newton. He lived his entire life on the family farm in rural Kellogg. Bill graduated from Newton High School in 1959. He served in the Iowa National Guard from 1964 until 1970 when he was discharged as a Master Sergeant.
Nov. 25, 1972, Bill was united in marriage with Linda Clemens in Newton. They were blessed with one daughter, Christy. Bill was a lifelong farmer and an active supporter of both farming and local area organizations. He was a Township Liaison to the Kellogg Fire Department, 46-year Kellogg Township Trustee, E911 Service Boardmember, and served on the board of directors for Partner Communications and Heartland Co-op. He was also a member of St. Luke United Methodist Church, the Farm Service Agency County Committee, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, and the national and state chapters of the International Harvester Collector’s Club. For many years, he was actively involved with the corn research department at Pioneer Hybrids. Bill loved his red tractors, traveling, and spending time with family and friends, especially his two grandsons.
Bill is survived by his wife, Linda Hotger of Kellogg; daughter, Christy (Mike) Lester of Lakeville, MN; grandson, Benjamin Lester; niece, Patty (Tom) Quinn of Exeter, NH; his cousins including Marty Ford of Newton; many friends; and his right hand man since 1994, Paul Weyers of Killduff. He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Owen Michael Lester; and his sister, Mary Carolyn Thompson.
C.E. “Pete” Koppin, 92
Clifford E. “Pete” Koppin, 92, of Newton, passed on Thursday, June 13, 2019, at The Bridges of Ankeny. There will be no service and his cremains will be buried next to his beloved wife Pat at a later date, per his wishes. A casual visitation was held on Tuesday evening, June 18, at the Pence Reese Funeral Home in Newton. In lieu of flowers, memorials will be accepted to the Jasper County Courthouse Christmas Lighting Fund and may be left at the funeral home.
Pete, the son of William and Clara (Olson) Koppin, was born Sept. 18, 1926, in Newton. He left high school his junior year to enter the United States Navy during World War II. He was a third-class water tender on the USS Prometheus from January 1944 to May 1946. He received an honorable discharge in Farragut, ID. After the war, he joined the Newton Fire Department as a firefighter and worked there for five years. That is where he met the love of his life! On Sept. 17, 1950, he married Patricia Schlotfeldt. They had 68 years together. After his days as a Newton firefighter, he took employment at Dale Schlotfeldt’s Oldsmobile and Cadillac dealership as service manager and later took over the used car lot. During his used-car days, he also owned and operated Pete’s Texaco. He later worked for State Bond and Mortgage Company out of New Ulm, MN, before owning his real estate company, Action Realty. His last occupation was as a general contractor building new homes in Newton.
Pete never held a city-appointed position, but liked to attend the city council meetings and offer his opinion. He was a member of the Iowa Fireman’s Association, the Elks Lodge, Jasper County Historical Society, and Newton Community Theatre. He was also a member of First Presbyterian Church in Newton.
Survivors include his son Dale Koppin of Lutz, FL; his daughter Barb (Steve) Roese of Johnston; his four grandchildren, Jeremy (Andrea) Koppin of Altoona, Nikki Marshall of Knoxville, Brandon (Samantha) Jackson of Newton, and Stacy (Nick) Kuiper of West Des Moines; his nine great-grandchildren, Tyger, Levi, and Kobie Marshall, Lydia and Milena Koppin, Khloe, Quinn, and Boston Kuiper, and Morgan Jackson; his two sisters-in-law, Greta Koppin and Darlene Koppin; several nieces and nephews; and one cousin-in-law Jackie (Jim) Black of Salinas, CA.
He was preceded in death by his wife Pat in January 2019; his parents; his in-laws; his three brothers, Ray, Leo, and Gene Koppin; and his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Bill and Marge Schlotfeldt.
