Katherine Almerta Hoverman

Katherine Almerta Hoverman, 82, of Van Wert, died at 9:53 a.m. Friday, May 4, 2012, at the Van Wert Area Inpatient Hospice Center.

She was born December 22, 1929, in Van Wert, the daughter of the late Harvey D. and Bernice Leota (Weyer) Shook. On June 17, 1950, she married Howard Leland Hoverman, who preceded her in death on March 26, 2000.

Katherine worked at Central Mutual Insurance in Van Wert from 1947-1951 and also for Van Wert City Schools from 1970-1991. After she married, she attended and was a member of the former Greenbrier United Brethren in Christ Church in Willshire Township, and a present member of First United Brethren in Christ Church in Van Wert, where she taught Sunday School most of her life. She had been in charge of Harvesters (young children’s group) and Young People’s Mission Band. She has been active in missionary societies and served as president and treasurer of the regional WMF. Her hobbies included crocheting, sewing, gardening, camping and music. Highlights of her life include attending all of her children’s and grandchildren’s music and sports events, as well as the trips she and Howard took: two missions work trips, one to Laurel Mission in Kentucky and one to Jamaica. Her many YWCA trips are also memorable. She says that God has been very good to her by giving her a wonderful family that she is proud of.

She was a 1947 graduate of Ridge High School and was a Cub Scout den mother for eight years. She was a member of the Van Wert Band Parents and served as president part of that time. She also headed up the Van Wert band fair stand for several years and was also active in the Thomas Edison Mothers Group and other activities for the school and workshop. In her retirement, she helped elderly people with transportation, helped the Youth For Christ at its Connection Building and volunteered at the food pantry. She was proud to be selected as one of the Flowers in Full Bloom of 2009.

Survivors include two sons, Philip T. (Carla) Hoverman of Archbold and Paul G. (Annette) Hoverman of Van Wert; a daughter, the Rev. Linda Katherine (Rev. Charles) Watson of Paoli, Ind.; one brother, the Rev. Robert (Nancy) Shook of Willshire; four sisters, Lulu Glee Ayers of Van Wert, Rose Elaine (Charles) Lichtenberger of Wren, Jacqueline (John) Hunter of Glenmore and Mary Alice (Charles) Sanders of Van Wert; a sister-in-law, Betty Shook of Latty; six grandchildren, Kristen (Aaron) Gillespie, Timothy Hoverman, Jacob Hoverman, Laura Watson, Ryan (Emily) Hoverman and Trent (Christina) Hoverman; and a great-grandson, Owen Hoverman.

A son, David L. Hoverman; one brother, Russel Shook; and a brother-in-law, Walter Ayers, also preceded her in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, May 8, at First United Brethren in Christ Church on South Race Street, with the Rev. Dr. Jody Harr officiating. Burial will be in Greenbrier Cemetery in Willshire Township.

Calling hours are from 2-8 p.m. Monday, May 7, at Cowan & Son Funeral Home in Van Wert and an hour prior to services Tuesday at the church.

Preferred memorials: First United Brethren in Christ Church or the Howard L. and Katherine A. Hoverman Music Scholarship Fund in care of The Van Wert County Foundation.

Messages of condolence may be sent to www.cowanfuneralhome.com.