Robert J. Hopcroft, age 89, died peacefully on Monday, Aug. 16, 2010. He was born on Jan. 25, 1921 in Bay City to Grace and Ernest Hopcroft. Robert graduated from Bay City Central High School in 1939 and entered the Marine Corps in 1942. His tour of duty included time in New Zealand, Australia, Pearl Harbor, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Okinawa and Tarawa.He owned and operated the Hilltop Tavern with his mother, Grace, until his retirement in 1972. He was a member of the American Legion and the Republican Party.On Jan. 16, 1948 he married Marion Haglund of Oscoda who preceded him in death in July 2009. Robert is survived by their four daughters, Ann Victoria Hopcroft of California, Ellen Merriken of Colorado, Jane (Terry) Whitford of Oscoda and Mary (Lee) Mertz of Oscoda; nine grandchildren, Jeremy (Jennifer) Lee, William Lee, Dana (Zach) Hatfield, Ryan (Kayla) Mertz, Jeffrey Mertz, Michael Mertz, Devon Merriken, Eric Merriken, and Natalie Hopcroft; seven great grandchildren: Austin Lee, Patrick Lee, Connor Lee, Justice Gomez, Davian Gomez, Quinn Hatfield and Lexi Hatfield; his brother, Jack Hopcroft of Midland; and several nieces and nephews.Visitation will be on Saturday, Aug. 21 at 1 p.m. at the Buresh Chapel. Service will be at 2 p.m. followed by a luncheon at the American Legion in Oscoda. Condolences may be offered at www.bureshfuneralhomes.com.