Walter Melvin Hoover Jr.

Walter Melvin Hoover, Jr. 83, North Manchester, Indiana passed away on January 28, 2024.  The son of the late Walter, Sr. and Alice (Castator) Hoover was born at home in Laketon, Indiana on December 4, 1940.

Walter graduated from Laketon High School in 1959 and was a lifelong resident of Laketon, IN.  He attended Weaver Airline School in Kansas City in 1960. He loved to fly.  Walter worked at Snyder's IGA for 20 years.  He retired from DePuy Orthopedic in 2005 after 28 years of service. He was also Captain and First Responder on Pleasant Township Volunteer Fire Department for many years. Walter was an outdoorsman, adventurous, loved to travel with his family and had countless hobbies.  While growing up, Walter worked with his Grandfather, Monroe Castator, building homes.  Walter proudly built his own home, by hand, in the late 1960’s where he lived for the rest of his life.  He passed-on all of his knowledge, skills and traits to his children. He spent his retirement years working with Bill Runkel on his farm, which he thoroughly enjoyed. This led to a great friendship that he cherished until Bill's passing in 2015.  Also in his retirement years, he was a daily customer at Oscar Jimenez’s restaurant, El Volcan, in North Manchester and they became very close friends. Walter attended Laketon Wesleyan Church, North Manchester Missionary Church and Wabash Alliance Church.

Walter was married to Judy R. Smith for 10 years before her untimely death in 1972.  He was married to Linda L. (Lake) McDermott for 42 years and he married Linda S. (Rumpf) Mattern in 2018.

He is survived by his wife, Linda Hoover, 2 daughters Kathy Leatherman (Andy Wagoner), Indianapolis and Kristine (David) Jett, Clifton, VA and 3 grandchildren, Joseph, Jack and Juliette, and his stepson Lance (Rachel) McDermott, Houston, TX and 5 step grandchildren, Tyler, Madison, Evan, Nathan and Eliza, and his stepsons Mike (Elaine Wisniewski) Mattern, Ft. Wayne, Cris (Malinda) Mattern, Wabash, Kenny (Nicki) Mattern, Ft. Wayne, and Tim (Shioni) Mattern Springboro, OH, 4 nephews, 3 nieces and many great nephews and nieces. He was preceded in death by his father, mother, brother Don Hoover and sister Martha Godby.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions in Walter’s name be given to Stillwater Hospice Foundation, 5910 Homestead Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46814, Attn: Development or at donations@stillwater-hospice.org.

Visitation will be from 10:30 a.m. until time of service at 12:30 p.m. Friday, February 9, 2024 at McKee Mortuary, 1401 State Road 114 West, North Manchester, Indiana 46962 with Reverend Ken Sistrunk and Reverend Todd Render officiating.  Walter will be placed in his final resting place at Oaklawn Cemetery at 600 Beckley Street, North Manchester, IN.

The family of Walter Hoover, Jr. has entrusted McKee Mortuary with final arrangements.