Jerry Hover

Jerry Lee Hover, age 81 years of Niles, Michigan died unexpectedly at 7:43 p.m. on Friday, June 8, 2018 at Lakeland Hospital, Niles of natural causes.

He was born on June 4, 1937 in Niles to Frank Elvis and Bonnie “Helen” Pearl (Foster) Hover.  He was graduated from Niles High School, and enlisted in the United States Army.  Most of his military term was served overseas, all during peacetime, from which he was honorably discharged.  He was employed for most of his life at Hover Trucking in Niles.

Jerry served on the Niles Township Fire Department, which his father had helped to organize while serving on the Niles City Fire Department.  He was a member of the American Legion Posts in Niles and Buchanan, the Fraternal Order of Eagles #2094 in Niles, and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks #1322 in Niles.  He was also a longtime and proud member of the National Rifle Association.  He and his family enjoyed camping at Bair Lake in Jones, Michigan.

He was first married to the former Sonja Troyer.  On October 17, 2003 in Niles he married the former Connie Sue Capron who preceded him in death on October 11, 2012.  He was also preceded in death by his son Richard Hover on May 28, 2016; and by Jerry’s parents, Frank Hover and Helen Hover Morley, and his siblings, Jack Hover and Shirley Nieb.

Surviving family includes his children, Pamela (& Dan) Ross of Houston, Texas, James (& Marissa) Hover of Niles and Steven Hover of Niles, and daughter-in-law, Lori (Mrs. Richard) Hover of Niles; grandchildren, Kyler Mark, Allie Hover, Justin Cooper, Mellisa (& Keith) Ernsperger, Suzanne Sater, Renee Sater, Brianna (& Joshua) Ross-Farris, and Brandon Hover; great-grandchildren, Gaige, Madison, Alexis, Bryce, and Cainen; and Jerry’s sister, Bonnie Behm of Niles and several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service for Jerry Hover will be at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 14, 2018 at the Halbritter-Wickens Funeral Home in Niles with the Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence of the First Presbyterian Church in Niles officiating.  Committal will follow at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles, and will conclude with the Veteran’s Flag Presentation and “Taps” by the United States Army Honor Guard.

The family will receive relatives and friends from 6:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home.  Contributions in memory of Jerry may be made to the Niles Eagles Lodge, 34 Sycamore Street, Niles, MI 49120; or to the Buchanan American Legion Post #51, 403 East Front Street, Buchanan, MI 49107.