Donald R. Hoover
Donald R. “Don” Hoover, 76, of Vandalia died Monday, Oct. 29, 2018, at his home.
Funeral services were at 10 a.m., Friday at Waters Funeral Home in Vandalia. Bro. Ron Franklin and Pastor Brian Lehenbauer officiated. Burial was in Vandalia Cemetery.
Visitation was from 4-7 p.m., Thursday at the funeral home.
Don was born Jan. 23, 1942, in Mexico, the son of Raymond Elmo and Alberta Mae Day Hoover. He was united in marriage to Donna Bontz on June 11, 1960, at the First Baptist Church of Vandalia.
Survivors include his wife, Donna Bontz Hoover of the home; one daughter, Dea Raechelle Hoover, and husband, Andrew Declan Rutan of St. Louis; two brothers, Charles Edward Hoover and wife, Kathy of Vandalia, and Roger Hoover and wife, Connie of Vandalia; one sister, Phyllis L. Fugit of Columbia; sister-in-law, Diana Hoover of Bowling Green; three nephews, Darin Fugit, Mike Hoover, and Nathan Hoover; two nieces, Pam Perkins and Michelle Benskin; and numerous great- and great-great-nieces and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Hoover was preceded in death by a brother, Monte Hoover and a brother-in-law, Olin Fugit.
Don served his country in the United States Army during the Vietnam Era, where he was stationed at Fort Wainwright in Fairbanks, Alaska. Upon returning to Vandalia, Don worked for Elzea Egg & Poultry, Waters Funeral Home & Furniture for William Waters, and later for Western Auto for 17 years. From 1971-81 Don and Donna sold Kemper Life Insurance from their home. In January of 1977 Don and Donna purchased Vandalia Tire & Battery from Herman Grafe and changed the name to Vandalia Firestone & Appliance. In 1990, they expanded their business with furniture by purchasing the Goodin and Williams buildings in downtown Vandalia.
Don was a prominent business man that was known for his word and quality of service for over a 100 mile radius of Vandalia.
A civic leader and generous supporter of local causes, Don was very active in his community. Don was a past member of the Vandalia Jaycees, Community Betterment, Business & Professional Men’s Club, Vandalia Rotary where he served as the youngest president in the state, and Vandalia Lions Club. Don was active in the Vandalia Masonic Lodge No. 491 AF & AM, where he was a member for over 50 years, Scottish Rite, Moolah Temple of the Mystic Shrine, Eastern Star Fulton Chapter No. 35, Little Dixie Shrine Club and NEMO Shrine Club.
Away from work, Don was an avid outdoorsman and conservationist; he enjoyed hunting quail and pheasant. Don also enjoyed showing his bird dogs at field dog trials in which he won several awards. In his younger years, Don was an avid and award winning trap shooter who competed several years at the Missouri Trap Shooters Association competition and ATA Trap Shooters Association in Vandalia, Ohio.
Don’s biggest love was his family. He was a devoted husband and according to his daughter Dea, “The best Dad ever.”. At a young age Don taught Dea how to ride a bike, put together swing sets and later in her teenage years how to maintain her vehicles to keep them in top shape. She followed in his entrepreneurial footsteps and owns and operates two tour and travel companies in St. Louis with her husband, Declan.
In July of 1960, he was baptized in the First Baptist Church of Vandalia, where he was a faithful member. He also served as the first and second grade Sunday school teacher for several years.
Pallbearers were Charlie Bartison, Harold Libby, Jim Mulherin, Tony Dameron, Brian Carr, and Travis Crump. Honorary pallbearers were Darin Fugit, Mike Hoover, Nathan Hoover, Charlie Fugit, Carter Fugit, Dustin Perkins, Bryan Evans, Dylan Hoover, Austin Hoover, and Joshua Hoover.
Memorial contributions may be made to either charities that were close to Don’s heart, Shriners Hospitals for Children-St. Louis or the Missouri Baptist Children’s Home, c/o Waters Funeral Home.
Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Don’s memorial page at www.watersfuneralhome.com.
