Harold Wayne Hooker
Harold Wayne Hooker, 98, passed away peacefully in his home at 11:16 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 10. Harold was the last of the ‘Greatest Generation’ in Francesville. He was born on the farm near Francesville on May 22, 1923. He was the son of the late Otto G. and Julie Grock Hooker and was one of eight children. He married Mary L. Robinson in Monticello on Oct. 17, 1943, and she preceded him in death on March 26, 2018.
Harold graduated from Francesville High School and helped on the family farm, until enlisting in the US Navy. During WWII 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. Harold 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 said, “I didn’t know the guys could have so much fun farming.”
Harold 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 would be 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.
He is survived by his daughter Connie Sullivan of Ridgeville; 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; sister-in-law Lois Vollmer Hooker; several nieces and nephews; as well as a community who will miss this “colorful character!”
He was preceded in death by his wife Mary; son Ed; parents; sisters: Blanche, Opal and Annabelle; brothers: Raymond and Paul, who both died as young boys, Lamoine and Ronald.
An informal gathering of family and friends to remember and celebrate Harold’s life will be held from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 22 at the Meadow Springs Event Center, 8631 US Hwy 421, Francesville (intersection of US 421/Hwy 114).
Private family inurnment will take place in Roseland Cemetery, Francesville. Memorial contributions 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.
(Pulaski County Journal — Aug. 18, 2021)