MARK C. HOOVER, 84

MARK C. HOOVER, 84, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2009, at Keepsake Village, Fort Wayne. Born on August 17, 1924, in Fort Wayne, he was the son of Evin and Bertha (Caston) Hoover. A 1942 graduate of South Side High School, he was a U.S. Navy aviator, serving as a navigator on PBY Catalinas just prior to the end of World War II. A member of Fort Wayne Baptist Church (formerly First Baptist Church) for over 45 years, he had recently also been attending Dunfee Missionary Church since moving to Sycamore Village. When wintering in Ft. Myers, Florida, he attended Faith Methodist Church.

Next to spending time with his family and traveling, his favorite activity was singing with various groups including the First Baptist Church Choir, Faith Methodist Church Choir (Ft. Myers), Mizpah Shrine Chanters, and the Summit City Chorus Barbershop group and also the Barbershop group in Fort Myers. He was an avid IU basketball fan and followed them both here and in Florida. As a young businessman in El Reno, Okla., he served in several statewide offices for the JayCees. In Fort Wayne, he was a member of the Scottish Rite Masons, Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite and Waynedale Lodge. He and his wife, Marjorie were the owners of R.L. Barrett Variety Stores, a family business started by Marge’s father, the late R.L. Barrett.

“He will be missed not only by his family, but by the circle of high school friends that have stayed together for 67 years.”

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He is survived by his wife and high school sweetheart, Marjorie (Barrett) Hoover; daughter, Susan (Hoover) Elser; granddaughters, Kate Caudill and Abby Caudill; and grandson, Tim Elser.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Evin and Bertha Hoover; brothers, Gene, Lloyd, Dale, and Paul Hoover; sisters, Helen Spindler, Corrine Geake and Josephine Moore; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Funeral service was 10:30 a.m. Monday at Klaehn, Fahl & Melton Funeral Home, Winchester Road Chapel, 6424 Winchester Road, with calling one hour prior. Calling also from 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home. Burial in Oak Lawn Cemetery, Ossian.

Preferred memorials to Dunfee Missionary Church, Fort Wayne Baptist Church or Heartland Hospice.

“This husband, father, brother, grandfather and friend will be missed.”