Obituary of Edythe Grace Hoover

Edythe Grace Hoover (nee Barber) returned to the circle of her family and longtime friends on Sunday, November 29, 2015. She was born in Sparta, IL on April 4, 1925 and called it home until 1943. Following graduation, Edythe worked as a medical secretary and spent many years as a civil service employee. Shortly after arriving at Patrick AFB in 1955 and beginning work in the base’s civilian personnel office, Edythe met TSgt Milton Hoover and less than a month later, they were married. Several years later, they adopted a daughter, Melanie. A series of duty changes followed and upon Milton’s retirement as a MSgt in 1965, Edythe and her family settled back in Sparta, IL. Edythe continued to balance jobs as a medical secretary and housewife. She was active with many community groups over the years +óGé¼GÇ£ even becoming PTA president +óGé¼GÇ£ and loved to help with both school and church events. Ongoing health issues led Edythe and Milton to return to the warmer climate of Florida in 1978. They moved to DeLand and enjoyed semi-retirement until their move in 1987 to their ‘retirement’ home in Rockledge. Edythe remained Milton’s principal caregiver, even as she endured many of her own ailments. After his death in 1998, Edythe and her daughter, Melanie, traveled to Germany three times, tracing the path of a great-grandmother’s 1891 sojourn. These travels provided many cherished memories while adding places and pictures to the names on family trees. Health and mobility issues over the next few years necessitated Edythe’s move to an assisted living facility in Melbourne where she enjoyed an active social life. Over the next six and a half years, weekend outings were balanced with ‘tailgate’ brunches as Edythe and Melanie were avid followers of Gator football and ‘lunch and a movie’ Saturdays were regular postseason events. A rapid decline in health in 2015 led to a final move to a skilled nursing facility. She will be missed by family and friends, but the blessings of a heavenly home and a return to those who have gathered to welcome her are sufficient solace. Edythe is survived by her daughter Melanie Hoover, niece Billy Lee Wray, and two nephews Paul Barber and Kenneth Bradley. She was preceded in death by her husband Milton Hoover, brother Bill Barber, infant sister Peggy Barber, mother Grace Barber (nee Bradley), father Alexander Barber, step-sister Helen Bradley (nee Heimbach), and step-mother Letty Bradley (nee Heimbach).A gathering of family and friends will be held from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 at Ammen Family Cremation and Funeral Care, 1001 S. Hickory Street, Melbourne. Interment at Florida Memorial Gardens will be at a later date.