Keith C. Hoover

HOOVER, Keith
Kalamazoo Keith Carl Hoover, age 84, went to be with his Lord and Savior on Friday, February 22, 2008, surrounded by his family, at Bronson Hospital. Keith was born February 17, 1924 in Blanchard, MI, the son of Carl and Estelle Hoover. He was one of 8 children and grew up on a farm. After high school, he served in the US Army during WW II as an MP. He then volunteered and served in the 4th Infantry Division, where he fought in the Battle of the Bulge and received a Purple Heart. While stationed at an Army base in Maine, he met Virginia Pinkham at a USO dance. They were married in Grand Rapids, MI in 1945. He then trained as an electrician and settled in Grand Rapids, where he worked for several companies before working for General Motors for 27 years, first in Grand Rapids and then transferring to Kalamazoo. He was the first electrician hired when the Kalamazoo plant opened and then retired in 1987. He will be remembered as someone who loved his vegetable garden, was devoted to physical fitness and rode his bike 7 miles every day to work, all year long. After retirement, Keith and Virginia traveled extensively throughout the United States in their RV. They also traveled to many destinations throughout the world, their favorite being the Fiji Islands. He was a lifetime Detroit Tiger fan. He was a dedicated Christian and once considered the idea of becoming a minister. He was a longtime member of the Chapel Hill United Methodist Church of Portage before retiring. After their travels, they settled in Sequim, WA and in 2004 they relocated to the Heritage Community in Kalamazoo and attended Zion Lutheran Church. Keith is survived by his wife of 62 years, Virginia Pinkham; their children, David and Diane Hoover of Elko, NV, Jon Debra Hoover of Sequim, WA, Sharon Stephen Francis of Portage, Cynthia Robert Luyendyk of Plainwell, Vicki Randy Hawkinson of Anacortes, WA, Cameron Hoover of Santa Clara, CA and Alison Owen Bourassa of Trenton, MI; their grandchildren, Ami Jones, Jamie Francis, Paul Francis, John and Daniel Bourassa, Michael Hoover, Sam and Chelsea Hawkinson; step-grandchildren, Bob and Diane Luyendyk, Joyce Luyendyk, Dara, Dyan & Derek Francis; great grandchildren, Erika, Haley, Dylan & Dominic; sister and brother-in-law, Leatrice & Bernard Flachs; sisters-in-law, Mary Lou Pilsbury and Louise Pinkham; brother-in-law, Harry Pinkham; many nieces and nephews. Keith was preceded in death by his parents; sisters, Flossie and Dorothy; brothers, Lester, Edward, Robert and Glenn. In accordance with his wishes, cremation has taken place and a private interment will take place at a later date at his family plot in Maine. A memorial service will be held on Monday, February 25 at 3:00 PM in the activity center of Wyndham Retirement Apartments, 2300 Portage Road. Arrangements by Langeland Family Funeral Homes, Portage Chapel, 411 E. Centre Ave.