Rebecca "Becky" Sharon Hoover

Rebecca “Becky” Sharon Hoover (née Snively maiden name Merrell), passed away March 15, 2024, surrounded by loving family. She was born at home in Galveston, IN on March 7, 1935, and was the last surviving of 16 children born to Charles Everett Merrell and Cora Bell (Miller) Merrell. Known to all as “Becky,” she will be remembered most for her unconditional love of family. Her home was always well-known as warmly open to friends, relatives, and the classmates of their many children. This gave rise to their “family saying – we may not have it all together but together we have it all”.

Preceded in death after 50 years of marriage to the love of her life, Billy S. Hoover (“Bill” was a distinguished 30-year career Army veteran decorated for service in WWII and Korea). Previously, Becky was widowed in 1963 by Howard W. Snively of Logansport, IN., also a WWII veteran.

As a young widow and woman, she supported her family by working 30 years at Delco Electronics in Kokomo, a city where she relocated after marriage to her beloved Bill. Together, they raised their family and traveled extensively across the world including, Central American, Asia and Europe. Her favorite places included Iceland, Canada, Spain and Hawaii. She loved playing bridge with Bill and many friends, accumulating many “master points”. In earlier times they loved to dress up and go out dancing to Big Band music. Becky was a talented musician, casino aficionado and remained very tech-savvy until her death so that she could regularly connect electronically with her children and grandchildren despite the distance. Her sharp intellect, tough character formed by being the 11th of 16 siblings raised during the depression years and hardship from experiencing multiple wars made Becky into a formidable woman. She called this “getting her Merrill up”.

Together, Becky and Bill raised their blended family of Shirley (David) Brewster, Sharron (Michael) Logan, Gracia (Steve) Taylor, David (Diane) Snively, Richard “Cash” (Liz Smith-Snively) Snively, Tom (Eileen) Hoover, Dee Ann Snively-Ferguson (Kent).

She is survived by 9 grandchildren, 20 great-grandchildren, 6 step-grandchildren, and 8 step-great grandchildren located throughout the United States.

Becky was preceded in death by all her siblings; Delilah, George, Leota, Francis, Phoebe, John, Gertrude, Wanita, Bonnie, Joretta, Shannon, Harold, Frank, Robert and Joy; two sons-in-law, Michael Logan and David Brewster; daughter-in-law, Eileen Hoover; and grandchild, Molly Hoover.

Special thanks to her niece, Theresa Hollingsworth, neighbor, Rita Martin, granddaughter, Amy Netherton, and Angie, Terri, Maddy from Guardian Angel and Lisa and Cathy who aided in making her final years more comfortable following Bill’s death. Becky will be greatly missed by her Tuesday bridge partners at Kokomo Senior Center, her special Thursday group, as well as by her family and community of friends.

A memorial service will take place at 2 pm on Sunday March 17, 2024, Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory, 1315 W Lincoln Road, Kokomo, with Steve Taylor officiating.  Burial will take place in Galveston Cemetery at a later date.  Friends may visit with the family from 12 pm to 2 pm on Sunday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to Valley of Grace, www.valleyofgrace.life, in Becky’s memory.  Messages of condolence may be made online at www.shirleyandstout.com.

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