Submitted by: Mary Jo Koran

James F. Hotop

April 13, 1910 - Sept. 22, 1999

James Frederick ''Fred'' Hotop, 89, of the Crestwood Assisted Living Facility, Mishawaka, Ind., passed away after an extended illness on Wednesday morning, Sept. 22, in the Fountainview Nursing Home.

Fred was born on April 13, 1910, in Kalamazoo, Mich., to Frederick and Julia (Simons) Hotop. His parents along with two sisters and a brother preceded him in death. On Nov. 27, 1937, he married Rena Mary Brooks in Kalamazoo. She also preceded him in death on Oct. 22, 1989.

Mr. Hotop is survived by two children, James S. Hotop of Washington, D.C., and Julia M. Nowak of Mishawaka, Ind.; four grandchildren and one great- grandchild; and by many dear friends, in particular Mary Ann Jones.

Mr. Hotop graduated from Kalamazoo College in 1933. He served in World War II with the 18th and 21st Weather Squadron, serving the 8th and 9th Air Forces. Fred was employed at E.J. White Plumbing and Heating for over fifty years until his retirement due to ill health in 1996. Fred served on several boards including the YMCA, Camp Eberhart, St. Joseph Council for the Retarded, and the South Bend Round Table Club. Mr. Hotop was a member of the 8th Air Force Historical Society, the 398th Bomb Group Memorial Association, the National Trust for Historical Preservation, Emeritus Club of Kalamazoo College, the St. Vincent de Paul Society, and American Legion Post 357. Fred was well known for his tennis playing. He played for the Kalamazoo College team and continued playing throughout his life, well into his eighties, participating in several local tournaments. He was a founding member of the World Fixers Tennis Club.

A funeral Mass will be offered at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 25, in St. Joseph Catholic Church, South Bend. Private interment will follow the Mass at Cedar Grove Cemetery, Notre Dame, Ind. There will be no visitation.

The Hickey Funeral Home, 3516 E. Jefferson, South Bend, is handling the arrangements.

The family has requested that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to Hospice of St. Joseph County, 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN 46637.