Doris Irene Hodak (nee Pillman) passed away on September 6, 2024, at the age of 93. She was a warm and caring wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend.
Doris will be greatly missed by her children: George A. Hodak, Tina (Kevin Schofield) Hodak, Gina (Jim) Kerpon; grandchildren: Matthew Hodak, Anna (Michael) DuPree, Isabel Schofield, Elizabeth (Henry) Farley, Stephen Kerpon, Michael and Amanda Hodak; great-granddaughter Norah Farley; sister, Nancy Bauer and her many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Clarence and Erna Pillman; her loving husband of 27 years, George J. Hodak, and her beloved son, Gregory Joseph Hodak.
Doris was born on April 20, 1931, to Clarence and Erna Pillman and grew up in South St. Louis. She and her younger sister, Nancy, enjoyed family weekend trips to “The Clubhouse” on the Bourbeuse River that they shared with another family and visits to extended family at the ancestral farm in Marthasville. Doris was never a fan of the fresh/warm cow’s milk that was served at the farm.
Doris was proud to be a Rough Rider graduating from Roosevelt High School. She then went to work at Southwestern Bell. One evening while out with friends from work, she met the man who would become her husband, George Hodak. They married in 1956 and raised four children while living in Nashville, TN, Birmingham, AL, Columbia, MO, St. Louis, MO and finally settling in Oklahoma City, OK.
Raising four children along with the many moves from city to city kept Doris VERY busy, but she always prioritized family dinner. Her children value and try to carry on the tradition of family dinners seated around the table just as she prepared every evening. Family vacations included trout fishing at Roaring River and who could forget the entire family of six loading up in the sedan for road trips to Daytona Beach, Florida.
Always the life of the party, Doris enjoyed a good laugh. In Oklahoma City, Doris’ core group of friends would celebrate birthdays, attend OU football games, and everything in between. They were truly there for Doris when George died in 1982 and remained her rock for the 20-plus years she lived in Oklahoma City.
Doris loved to travel! Destinations included Hawaii, Bermuda, Mexico City, Paris, Monte Carlo, and several trips to London. Most importantly, she was always eager to visit the grandkids in Dallas, St. Louis, and Chicago. As a grandmother, Doris loved the BIG summer trip to a small resort on Lake Tenkiller in Oklahoma. She enjoyed her family gathering together to catch fireflies, fish, swim, climb on the big rocks, and even an occasional tarantula sighting.
In the 1990s, Doris volunteered at Mercy Hospital in Oklahoma City and helped lead “mystery trips” for seniors in the community. The trips were to many of the Oklahoma tourist hot spots, including one unusual excursion to the State Penitentiary. She thoroughly enjoyed leading the trips and made many good friends through her volunteer work.
She moved back to St. Louis in 2006, thrilled to be back in Cardinal Nation as a lifelong fan. She enjoyed watching the games from her recliner and was cheering as the Cards won the World Series in 2006 and 2011.
Doris was always kind and gracious to everyone and above all truly dedicated to having her lipstick and hair just perfect! Her daughters, Tina and Gina, will forever hear her voice saying, “put on some lipstick!”
The family would like to extend their sincere gratitude to the caregivers at Parc Provence in Creve Coeur. Visitation services will be held at Basilica of Saint Louis, King of France (Old Cathedral), (209 Walnut St. 63102), Monday September 16 at 9:00 AM followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM and interment at Resurrection Cemetery
To my Hodak cousins,
Your mom was a special one-of-a-kind lady; she will be missed by all.
Rest in Peace Aunt Doris
Doris will sure be missed at the Ladies table at Parc Provence. She was always pleasant to everyone. I miss the days of seeing her come with her purse with her to all meals and handing out Big Red gum to all. Sending prayers to you all.