SOPKO, James, Rev. 1903-1973

SOPKO, OBERLA

Posted By: County Coordinator
Date: 4/22/2016 at 13:57:14

Rev. James Sopko Funeral Held At Otranto Church

Funeral services for the Rev. James Sopko, 70, who died at a hospital in Rochester, Minn. November 20. were held November 24 at the Otranto Community church with the Rev. Howard Grossoehme officiating.

James Sopko was born July 30, 1903, in Holyoke, Mass., the son of Charles and Anna (Oberla) Sopko. He was educated in grade and high school in Plymouth, Penna. He received his degree from the Theological Seminary of the Evangelical Lutheran church in Chicago, Ill. May 12, 1926, and was ordained May 13, 1926 at Maywood in Chicago.

Rev. Sopko was in service to the church for 47 years, and had pastorates at Guttenberg; Blue Island, Ill.; Hatfield, Mass.; Tucson, Ariz.; Lubbock, Tex.; and Otranto. On July 28, 1932 he was united in marriage with Lydia Nuehring in Galena, Ill.

He is survived by his wife, Lydia of Otranto; three brothers: Albert Sopko of Middlesax, N. J.; Paul Sopko of Blue Island, Ill.; Joseph Sopko of Portola, Calif.; three sisters: Cecilia Sopko, Plymouth, Penna.; Mrs. Helen Hielberger of Plymouth, Penna. and Mrs. Anna Janson of Greenlawn, N. Y.; also several nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents and one brother, Charles.

Burial was in Woodbury cemetery near Lyle with Rev. Grossoehme in charge of the committal services.

Source: St. Ansgar Enterprise, 29 Nov. 1973, page 1, column 3

Credit: Mitch Helle