John B. Hovis

John B. Hovis, 89 of Elmore, OH died Thursday, August 30, 2012 at Hospice of Northwest Ohio, Perrysburg, OH. He was born February 25, 1923 in Woodville Twp., Sandusky County, OH, to the late John A. and Mary Ellen (Gaster) Hovis. He was a 1940 graduate of Elmore High School. In 1942, John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. 4th Division of which he fought in Saipan, Tinian, Roi Namur, and Iwo Jima during World War II. After being honorably discharged he married Lois Luckey on December 20, 1945. John was a grocer who retired in 1984. He owned and operated Elmore Super Value, Elmore. He served the Village of Elmore for over 30 years as a volunteer fireman. He was a member and past commander of American Legion Post 279, Elmore, where he would often be invited to speak at Memorial Day Remembrances. John was an avid Mushroom hunter keeping both his yearly logs of the season and favorite hunting spots closely guarded secrets. He was a self-taught artist and volunteered his time at Schedel Arboretum. He was a member of St. Paul Trinity United Methodist Church, Elmore. To his family and those he met, John was a very unselfish person always giving of himself. Survivors include his wife of 66 years Lois of Elmore; sons: John C. (Gloria) Hovis of Venice, FL, Jeffery K. (Chrysoula) Hovis of Waterloo, ONT, and Jay A. (Calley) Hovis of Genoa, OH; sisters: Bertha Henry of Elmore and Joyce Huffman of Fostoria, OH; grandchildren: Jessica Cable, John D. Hovis, Anna Hovis, and Alexia Hovis; great- grandchildren: Noah, Julia, and Aidan Cable. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Ward and Wayne Hovis, and sisters: Ethel Heins, Edith Seeger, and Doris Wheatley. Visitation will be Sunday from 5-8pm and again Monday from 2-8pm with the family present 2-4 & 6-8pm at the Crosser Funeral Home, Elmore- Genoa Chapel. Funeral Services will begin at 11am Tuesday, September 4, 2012 at St. Paul Trinity United Methodist Church, Elmore with the Rev. Melissa Steinecker officiating. Burial will be in Harris- Elmore Union Cemetery, Elmore. Memorial Contributions may be made to: St. Paul Trinity U. M. Church, American Legion Post 279, or Harris- Elmore Fire Department. Online condolences may be shared with the family at www.crosserfuneralhome.com. John's parting note: "There was a religious service that was held on the troop ship USS Lander which brought us from Iwo Jima to Hawaii. The Navy chaplain gave a sermon to the thankful soldiers crowded on the deck, which was based on Paul's trip to Damascus when he asked God, "What do you want me to do?" The chaplain told us to look ashore where we could see nearly 6, 000 white grave markers shining in the sun. Then he asked "Why are you here instead of beneath one of those markers? They have given their life for us, God our country, and Marine Corps. They can give nothing more, but our life is still ahead. Make the most of it in remembrance of them." Funeral Home: Crosser Funeral Home - Elmore-Genoa Chapel 19550 West State Route 51 Elmore, OH