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Estel Hopper Junior (Way)
1917 - 1973
Estel (Jr.) was the product of a liaison between Estel Hopper and Myrtle Pauline "Bonnie" Way, a 13 year old girl from Muncie, Indiana. He was raised by his Grandmother, Emma P. Way.
Documents at the Records Office in Muncie record that the father was a married, 23 year old soldier, from Kentucky named Estel Hopper.
Estel Jr. was born on December 14, 1917, and lived his entire life using the surname "Hopper". He may not have known that his last name was Way until he eventually saw his birth certificate.
His mother's name was Myrtle Pauline Way (Bonnie).
In an interview with Estel Junior's half sister, Loretta, she remembered Bonnie and Bonnie's mother coming to their house, probably to discuss the matter. She and her mother hid inside their house so they would not have to confront them. She also remembered approaching Estel Junior as a young lady and identifying herself as his half sister. She said he appeared 'shocked'.
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Estel Jr's wife (Cleota) was born in Richmond, VA on June 10, 1922.
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December 14, 1917 |
Estel was born in Muncie, IN.
He was raised by his maternal grandmother Lower.
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1939 |
Estel married Cleota Irene (Doty) Knapp/Rife.
She used her maiden name on the marriage license. |
August 6, 1940 |
Tremendously handsome son Daniel William was born
Daniel after popular singer Danny O'Neill, William after Grandpa William Knapp |
1942 |
Estel Junior Hopper III was born |
1944 |
David Lee Hopper was born |
February 24, 1945
- January 22, 1946 |
Estel was drafted into the Army. |
April 16, 1947
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James Robert (Patric) Hopper was stillborn.
He is buried at Beach Grove Cemetery, Mulncie, IN. (Lot
#70-19, S.G.)
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1950 |
Estel Jr. and Cleota divorced. |
1952 |
Estel Jr. married Ruth Worthington. This was Estel's second marriage and Ruth's third. Ruth had a daughter by a previous marriage(Penny Runyan). |
About 1955-7 |
Estel wrote a short story. He was not a proliforous
writer but it is an interesting story. |
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Estel died of Stomach Cancer at Mercy Hospital, Springfield,
OH.
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