James Emmett Hoover (Hoovie) was born on Feb. 26, 1951, to Robert and Edith (Barnhart) Hoover at Bertha Hester’s Birthing House in Pisgah. He passed away in the quiet of the morning on Feb. 21, 2025, at Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in Blair, Neb., after a long courageous battle with cancer.
Jim followed in his older brother, Robert’s footsteps and joined the United States Air Force in May of 1969, retiring in March of 1990. At one time during his military career, he was stationed in Germany, with his sister-in-law, Judy. Robert would soon leave Saudi Arabia and join them in Germany, where the three of them would spend countless hours visiting historical sites.
Jim was an avid history buff and could recall dates, places and very interesting details. Thus, he would often tell some amusing stories as he would insert himself in the story. He once convinced a lady that he taught the Red Baron to fly!!
When he retired from the Air Force, he moved back to the family farm west of Magnolia. He worked part time for Jacobsen’s radiator shop, Rich Small electric and finally for a contractor at the rest area.
It was often said that he had “9” lives as he survived a serious motorcycle accident, a severe head injury that claimed his right eye, a major stroke that affected his speech and his ability to walk and later a badly broken hip. But he could not defeat cancer.
His great sense of humor never left him, he completely enjoyed life. Life to Jim was a wonderful adventure and he lived every moment of it.
He had a wonderful group of friends at Good Shepherd. They played cards and bingo, long summer days out on the patio and exercise classes that could get competitive!
Jim is preceded in death by his parents, Robert and Edith Hoover; brother, Robert Hoover; and his daughter, Michelle Monhallen.
He is survived by his sister, Ruth (David) Beck of rural Magnolia; daughter, Misty (Steve) Crisel of Olney, Ill.; sister-in-law, Judy Hoover of Breckenridge, Mich.; grandchildren, Steven, Monique, Jacob and Kaleb; many nieces and nephews.
Services were conducted March 1, 2025, at Hennessey Funeral Home.
Arrangements made by Hennessey Funeral Home. Online Condolences, www.hennesseyonline.com.
