Sheila (Bach) Hooper, 86, of Riverside and Freeport, died on May 22, 2026. Born in Freeport on Sept. 27, 1939, to Joseph and Alfreda Bach, she earned a Master of Arts in Teaching degree in 1974. In 1960, she married Robert Hooper and they had four children: Mark, Victoria, Lance, and Patricia.
She served as Freeport Township Supervisor for 39 years, from 1977 until her retirement in 2013. During her tenure, she became widely known and respected for developing and implementing an early workfare program that gained recognition across Illinois for its focus on restoring dignity through meaningful work, job placement, and community support services. She traveled throughout Illinois sharing the program model and helping train and advised other townships interested in developing similar initiatives.
She dedicated many years to education as a teacher at both Aquin Catholic High School and Freeport High School. She inspired in many a lifelong commitment to social justice, education, equality, public service, and lifelong learning.
Early in her life, she worked for Dr. Felix J. Lownik, a respected otolaryngologist at Freeport Ear, Nose & Throat, who became an important mentor and influence in her life.
She loved the water and swimming and helped establish the Freeport Aquatic Swim Team (FAST). She was also a certified Water Safety Instructor and dedicated Red Cross volunteer.
She loved Sunday dinners, always served on paper plates, and family gatherings filled with laughter, storytelling, card games, and friendly competition around the table.
She will be remembered for her keen intellect, sharp wit, strong sense of purpose, unwavering compassion, and deep devotion to her family and friends.
Sheila is survived by her children, Mark Hooper, Victoria (John Webb) Hooper, and Patricia (Cyril) Friend; her grandchildren, Trisha (Eric Slater) Hooper, Nicholas (Lacretia) Webb, Maggie Hooper, Jacob Hooper, Katie Hooper, Kip Friend, Calvin Friend, and Cade Friend; her seven great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and -nephews. Her love and devotion extended to many step-grandchildren and step-great-grandchildren, each of whom she embraced and loved as her own.
She was preceded in death by her son, Lance Hooper; her parents, Joseph and Alfreda Bach; her siblings, Theodore Bach, Nicholas Bach, Michael Bach and Patricia Steele; her brother-in-law, Robert Steele; her sister-in-law, Kay Bach; her nephew, Dan Steele; and one great-nephew, Preston Steele-Alston.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to the compassionate staff at Caledonia Senior Living, where Sheila resided since October 2020. The kindness, compassion, and exceptional care, especially during the final months of her life, brought Sheila comfort, dignity, laughter, and love.
A Funeral Mass was celebrated on June 1 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Freeport. Interment at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Freeport. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Joseph Catholic Church.
Assisting the family in services: Ivins/Moravecek Funeral Home.