MCHENRY, ILL. — The pest control industry mourns the loss of longtime industry veteran Pete Schopen, Sr., who passed away Friday, at age 69. The McHenry, Ill., entrepreneur had a two-year bout with leukemia, the family reported.
A former Orkin manager and Mid Central Pest Control owner, Schopen was an influential pest control owner/operator in the Northern Illinois market.
After working for three years at Orkin and becoming a founding member of the company's $100,000 sales club, Schopen left Orkin to start Mid Central in 1974. The Algonquin, Ill.-based company serviced thousands of clients throughout the Chicagoland area. At its highest point in 2005, Mid Central employed 25 and was about a $2 million operation.
Schopen had seven children all of whome worked at his company at various times. His oldest son, Peter, is owner/operator of Schopen Pest Solutions.
Latest from Pest Control Technology
- Donny Oswalt Shares What Makes Termites a 'Tricky' Pest
- Study Finds Fecal Tests Can Reveal Active Termite Infestations
- Peachtree Pest Control Partners with Local Nonprofits to Fight Food Insecurity
- Allergy Technologies, PHA Expand ATAHC Complete Program to Protect 8,500 Homes
- Housecall Pro Hosts '25 Winter Summit Featuring Mike Rowe
- Advanced Education
- Spotted Lanternflies, BMSBs Most Problematic Invasive Pests, Poll Finds
- Ecolab Acquires Guardian Pest Solutions
