Obituaries

May 22, 1923 to August 10, 2021

WINGATE - Harold Wayne Hooker, 98, passed away peacefully at 11:16 p.m., Tuesday, Aug. 10, at his home. He was among the last of the “Greatest Generation” in Francesville. 

He was born May 22, 1923, on the farm near Francesville, the son of the late Otto G. and Julie Grock Hooker. He was one of eight children.  He married Mary L. Robinson on Oct. 17, 1943 in Monticello. She preceded him in death March 26, 2018.

Harold Hooker

Surviving are daughter, Connie Sullivan of Ridgeville, IN;  Daughter-in-law, Laura ‘Sam’ Hooker of Brookston; Grandchildren Kimberly (Brian) Bader, Carrie Sullivan, Mike Sullivan, Neal Hooker, Chad (Kati) Hooker; Great-grandchildren, Brazen Bader, Aydan Bader, Cooper Spencer, Cole Hooker; and sister-in-law Lois Vollmer Hooker. Several nieces and nephews also survive, as well as a community who will miss this “colorful character.”

He was preceded in death by son Ed, sisters Blanche, Opal and Annabelle, brothers Raymond and Paul who both died as young boys, and Lamoine and Ronald.

Mr. Hooker graduated from Francesville High School and helped on the family farm, until enlisting in the U.S. Navy. During World War II he served aboard the USS Randall. Following his discharge he and Mary moved to a 320-acre farm west of Francesville, in Gillam Township, where they remained until retirement. He kept a well-manicured farmstead, roadsides and equipment. His rows were straight and weed-free. Neighbors and an ornery nephew would often pull weeds or corn and stick them in Harold’s perfectly clean soybeans to see how long it took him to find it and remove it. He enjoyed farming and from time to time worked with neighbors during harvest. It was said by one of the wives who observed, “I didn’t know the guys could have so much fun farming.”

Mr. Hooker always had a gleam in his eye, an ornery grin and was ready to drink coffee with the guys and share stories. After retirement, he was one of the first to arrive at the fertilizer plant each morning to have coffee ready for the crew. He enjoyed guns, hunting, and in the summer you could often find him on “community groundhog patrol” along the ditch banks.

An informal gathering of family and friends to remember and celebrate Harold’s life will be held from 2 to 5 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 22, at the Meadow Springs Event Center, 8631 U.S. 421, Francesville (intersection of U.S. 421 and SR 114).  Private family inurnment will take place at Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. 

Memorial donations may be directed to Riley Hospital for Children, St. Jude Children’s Hospital for Research or, First Christian Church Youth Group. 

Family and Friends Funeral Home of Wingate is assisting the family. Visit us online at www.familyandfriendsfh.com to sign the guestbook or share a memory.