Edward Hooper

Edward A. "Ed" Hooper, age 92, of Ithaca, MI died peacefully December 22, 2012 at Masonic Pathways in Alma, MI.

Ed was born in Ithaca, Michigan, on April 15, 1920, the son of Charles and Bertha (Hubbell) Hooper. He graduated from Ithaca High School and attended both Central Michigan University and Michigan State University. On June 17, 1945, he married Carol Joanne McCallum at the United Methodist Church in Ithaca. She preceded him in death on June 18, 2003 after 58 years of marriage. On May 20, 2006, he married Marilyn Beatty who preceded him in death on August 21, 2007.

Ed was a man of great faith, serving as an active member of the United Methodist Church, Ithaca, MI for over 80 years. He was also a member and Past Master of the Ithaca Masonic Lodge. Throughout his life, Ed was active in his community, having served as President of the Ithaca Senior Activity Center, President of the Gratiot County Farm Bureau, a member of the Gratiot County Planning Commission, a member of the Senior Gratiot Board and a director of the Commercial Bank for 24 years. Ed was a lifelong farmer. In his later years, after retirement, he continued to tend a large garden and enjoyed sharing fresh garden vegetables and fruit with family and friends. In addition to gardening, he also enjoyed fishing, cutting wood, spending recreational time with his family at Crystal Lake, and challenging games of scrabble with the Beatty/Miller family. He was also actively involved with the Ithaca Senior Activity Center through his last days and thoroughly enjoyed the friendships made there.

Survivors include his 4 children; Diane (Eric) Gruesbeck of St Charles, MO, Patricia (Donn) Gates of Ithaca, MI, Alan (Patricia) Hooper of Rockton, IL, and Mark (Marcia) Hooper of Okemos, MI, 8 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren, 1 sister Eleanor Budge of Greenville, MI, sisters-in-law; Margaret Hooper and Paula Lake of Ithaca, MI. He was preceded in death by his parents Charles and Bertha Hooper, his wife Carol, his second wife Marilyn Beatty, and brother Lester Hooper.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday December the 28, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at the United Methodist Church, 327 E. Center St, Ithaca, MI with Pastor Cindi Greene officiating. A light lunch will be served immediately following the ceremony. A Burial service with the immediate family will be at Fritz Cemetery in Newark Township later in the day. Visitation will be held on Thursday, December 27, 2012 from 2-8 P.M. with family present from 2-4 & 6-8 P.M. at Smith Family Funeral Homes, 1333 E. Center St, Ithaca, MI. There will be a Masonic Service on Thursday evening at the funeral home at 7:00 P.M.

Memorials may be made to Ithaca United Methodist Church or Ithaca Senior Activity Center. Online condolences may be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, Ithaca, MI.


Read Edward Hooper's Obituary and Guestbook on smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com.