Bonita “Bonnie” S. Hoover, 85, of rural North Manchester, Indiana, died at 2:05 pm, Friday, December 8, 2017 at Peabody Healthcare Center in North Manchester. She was born February 28, 1932 in Walton, Indiana to Israel Earl Rogers and Nettie (Troyer) Rogers White.
Bonnie was a 1949 graduate of Laketon High School, and attended Elkhart Business School. She married Doyle Dean Hoover at the Laketon E.U.B. Church on Febmary 15, 1953; he died October 24, 2006.
Bonnie worked at Kroger Egg, Wabash County Hospital, and Hooks/CVS in North Manchester, where she retired after 15 years. Bonnie also was a homemaker and farmer’s wife. She was a member of the North Manchester First Brethren Church, former member of Chester Charmers Home Ec Club, and Wabash County Farm Bureau. Bonnie enjoyed knitting, and was an avid Chicago Cubs and Indiana University fan.
She is survived by eight children, Cathy Pritchard of North Manchester, Carol Jean Hoover of Logansport, Indiana, William D. (Pennie) Hoover ofVisalia, California, Cynthia (Mike) Pyle of Silver Lake, Indiana, Beverly (Roger) Sharritt of Fortville, Indiana, Patricia (John) Rathmacher of Story City, Iowa, Janice (Mike) Stilger of Champaign, Illinois, and Joyce (Lamar) Young of Indianapolis, Indiana, 21 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, brother, Howard (Connie) White ofEnglewood, Florida, and his sister-in-law, Linda Rogers of Liverpool, Texas. She was also preceded in death by her parents, step father, Samuel White, two brothers, Dick and Max Rogers, and her sister, Jeanne Barnard.
Bonnie will be remembered for her love for her husband and family, her prowess for making pie, and her skill at knitting. She drove her kids thousands of miles to basketball, cheer clinics and 4H meetings. Only her well-worn black cast iron skillet knows how many potatoes she fried. Millions of inches of yarn passed through her clever fingers, transformed into sweaters, afghans, mittens, and hats. So many hats for so many beloved heads.
Bonnie’s highest renown, though, will be for her kindness and generosity to all, as her family’s boundaries did not end with her 8 children. Neighbor kids hopped in the van for rides to town. Hired hands sat with us at our table. Nieces and nephews confided in her. Co-worker’s waited for their birthday pie from Bonnie. Her friends shared mischief, nights on the town, and all of the heart-crushing griefs life brings. Her listening ears and giving heart will be missed by all who loved her.
Funeral services will be 10:30 am Thursday, December 14, 2017 at Grandstaff-Hentgen Funeral Service, 1241 Manchester Avenue, Wabash, with Pastor Kurt Stout officiating. Burial will be Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash. Friends may call 2-8 pm Wednesday, at the funeral home, Preferred memorials are Cardinal Center in Logansport or the North Manchester First Brethren Church. The memorial guest book for Bonnie may be signed at www.grandstaff-hentgen.com.