This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: HOOVER, PINKHAM, FRANCIS, LUYENDYK, HAWKINSON, BOURASSA, JONES, FLACHS, PILSBURY Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/22383/mb.ashx Message Board Post: HOOVER, Keith Of 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 eight 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 seven 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, M! I; their grandchildren, Ami Jones, Jamie Francis, Paul Francis, John a nd Daniel Bourassa, Michael Hoover, Sam and Chelsea Hawkinson; step-grandchildren, Bob and Diane Luyendyk, Joyce Luyendyk, Dara, Dyan and Derek Francis; great-grandchildren, Erika, Haley, Dylan and Dominic; sister and brother-in-law, Leatrice and 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. www.langelands.com 343-1508. Published in the Kalamazoo Gazette on 2/24/2008. (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.