Donald William Hoover's Obituary
Donald William Hoover, age 90 of Batesville, Indiana, passed away on Friday, January 23, 2026, at Margaret Mary Health Hospital in Batesville. Born September 18, 1935, in Decatur County Indiana, he is the son of Ersel and Ila (Nee: Walton) Hoover. He married Esther E. Ertel on June 27, 1956, at Jonesboro, Indiana and she preceded him in death on March 25, 2019.
Don was employed at the Fernald Uranium Processing Plant for 40 years and retired as a Quality Assurance Group Manager in 1993. He served two years active Army service from 1958 – 1960 at the U.S. Army May Service Headquarters in Washington D.C.
Don and Esther were lifetime members of the Ambassadair Air Travel Club for many years and enjoyed traveling with family members and friends. Since the 1970’s, they owned an RV and enjoyed RV camping, staying at vacation resorts, and cruising. In their travels, they visited all 50 States and Canadian Provinces, several Caribbean and other Atlantic Islands, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Belize, Iceland, Mexico, Puerto Rico, Columbia, Panama, and Costa Rica. In January of 2000, they officially became “Snowbirds” when they purchased property in the ORA RV Resort on Chokoloskee Island in Southwest Florida.
Don was a very social person. He delighted in bringing people together for Sunday night euchre tournaments and daily “happy hours” in Florida. Kentucky bourbon was his drink of choice. He recently found enjoyment in playing bingo with lucky card numbers 35 and 38 for he and Esther’s birth years.
Don and Esther were members at St. Louis Catholic Church and held memberships in various clubs including the American Legion Post #271, Eagles Aerie #1130, Knights of Columbus Council #1461, and the Shelbyville Moose Lodge.
He is survived by his sister Lutricia Cox of Arizona and many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents and wife Esther, he was preceded in death by his brothers Norman and Wayne Hoover and sisters Grace Barhorst, Betty Grossman, and Helen Young.
Visitation is Friday, January 30th, from 9:45 a.m. – 11:45 a.m., at Weigel Funeral Home in Batesville. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 12:00 p.m., at St. Louis Catholic Church in Batesville, with Fr. Stan Pondo officiating. The burial will be at St. Louis Cemetery, with military graveside rites being conducted by the Ripley County Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #3183 and by the Prell-Bland American Legion Post #271 of Batesville. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital (401 St. Jude Place, Memphis, Tennessee 38105) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.
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