John Zopff

John Sabath Zopff passed away peacefully on March 27, 2013. He was 85 years old. Devoted husband of Eileen Hogan Zopff, to whom he was married for 60 years; father of Fredrick R. Zopff, Jane C. Zopff, Thomas M. Zopff (Peggy Hooker, late), and Ellen Zopff Todia (Dave Matthiesen). Grandfather of Christian, Patrick, Maureen, Michael and Kathleen Zopff, John and Elizabeth Todia and Jimmy and Sarah Matthiesen. He was preceded in death by his parents, J. Frederick and Mildred V. (Laile) Zopff and two brothers, Frederick A. Zopff and Jerry Zopff.

John was born on Groundhog's Day in 1928, never looked for his shadow and, thus, never retreated back into his hole. He was born in Dayton, Kentucky and raised in Mt. Washington, Ohio during the 1930s. He graduated from Withrow High School, attended the University of Cincinnati for a short while and then enlisted in the United States Army where he advanced as a Medic to the rank of Technical Sergeant. Upon discharge, he returned to the University of Cincinnati where he proceeded to meet and marry his lifetime love, Eileen Hogan, in 1952 and graduate in 1953 with the degrees of Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Law.

After passing the Ohio Bar exam in July 1953, he and Eileen moved to the village of Mason, Ohio where he set up shop as Mason's first attorney. Through the years, John and Eileen raised their four children and John's law practice grew. He was the Village Solicitor for Mason, South Lebanon and Pleasant Plain and often brought his children along to meetings for their early legal education. He was appointed to sit on the bench of Warren County Probate Court and was appointed to be the first Judge of the Mason Municipal Court in January, 1966. He also served on the Warren County Court, and was active in the Warren County Republican Party for many years.

John was one of the five men who financed and built Western Row Golf Course in Mason. He was instrumental in starting the Mason Kiwanis Club in 1956, and volunteered for many years as Committee Chairman for Troop 43 of the Boy Scouts of America. He helped spearhead the fundraising efforts for new uniforms for the Wm. Mason High School Marching Band. He acted in the first production of the Mason Community Players in 1973, "The Music Man." Also in 1973, he moved his family to Lebanon, Ohio and took up the hobby of "Gentleman Farmer". His proudest farming achievement was being asked to join the Warren County Farmers Club.

John expanded his hobby to two other farms in Mason and eventually moved back to Mason where he retired from both farming and the law profession. John was a member of the Mason United Methodist Church for 60 years, where he was the long time 6th grade Sunday School teacher. He and Eileen spent many vacations relaxing with their daughter Ellen's family at the Chautauqua Institution in Chautauqua, New York and on Sanibel Island, Florida. He and Eileen loved to travel across the United States and Europe with their family and friends, and also enjoyed being a part of their Bridge Club and Dinner Club for many years. John will be remembered for his sense of humor, "Dad jokes", strong moral compass, and his sage wisdom and advice, often unsolicited.

Funeral service will be held at the Mason United Methodist Church, 6315 S. Mason-Montgomery Road, Mason, Ohio on Monday, April 1 at 1:00 pm. Visitation from 10:00 am until Noon. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Hospice of Cincinnati or the Mason United Methodist Church