Christ Troupis, 88, passed away on Dec. 19, 2011, in Mendota Community Hospital. A funeral Mass will be at 10:30 a.m. Thursday in Holy Cross Catholic Church, Mendota, with the Rev. Fredi Gomez-Torres officiating. Burial will be at Holy Cross Cemetery, Mendota with full military rites by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation is 3-7 p.m. Wednesday at Merritt Funeral Home , Mendota. Mr . Troupis was born Jan. 28, 1923, in Mendota to Theodore and Efterpe Troupis . He married Marion Roberts on Jan. 2, 1947, in South Bend, Ind. He attended Blackstone and Lincoln Elementary schools before graduating from Mendota High School in 1941. He attended Northwestern University and graduated from Harvard Law School in 1949. Mr. Troupis served in the Pacific Theater of Operations with the Army Air Force during World War II. Following law school, Mr. Troupis returned to Mendota where he practiced law for more than 50 years. Before his retirement, he had been active in both La Salle County Bar Association and Illinois State Bar. His practice focused most often on estate and probate matters although he was well known for his representation of school districts and other local units of government. He was elected mayor of Mendota in 1953 and served until 1961. During his tenure the Mendota Community Pool was first built. He was later elected to Illinois Valley Community College Board of Trustees in 1967 and served as board president during the acquisition and construction of the campus on the south bluff of the Illinois River. For nearly 20 years, Mr. Troupis also served on Mendota Community Hospital Board of Trustees and was president of that board for several years. He was a member of the VFW and American Legion and was a past member and former president of Mendota Lions Club and Mendota JayCees. He served as chairman of the local chapter of the American Red Cross and was a past member of Mendota Elks Club and Mendota Moose Lodge. In addition to his civic and community service, Mr. Troupis was long active in the local and regional business community. He was a past president of Mendota Area Chamber of Commerce and served as parade marshal for the 2003 Mendota Sweet Corn Festival. He also served on the National Bank of Mendota Board of directors from 1965-1993 and was a member of Mendota Investors Club. In 1981 he received the Outstanding Service Award from the Chamber. Mr. Troupis was a member of Holy Cross Catholic Parish and received the Thomas More Award from the Peoria Diocese for his service and accomplishments. As so many of Christ's friends know so well, fishing, traveling and family brought enormous joy to his life. He is survived by his wife; five children, Jeanne (Andrius) Balukas of Spencer, Ohio, Christ (Maureen) Troupis of Eagle, Idaho, James (Karen) Troupis of Cross Plains, Wis., Diana (Stewart) Karge of Downers Grove and Ann Troupis of Malden; and 14 grandchildren. Memorials may be directed to the donor's choice.