Dana L. Hoover

Rev. Dana Lee Hoover, 62 of Fort Smith, Arkansas, died Wednesday, June 14, 2017 at his residence. He’d had some recent health issues but his death was unexpected.



He was born November 9, 1954 in Bucyrus, Ohio to the late Donald T. and Mary L. “Dolly” (Jacobs) Hoover. Dana graduated from Col. Crawford High School in 1973; received his bachelor degree in Philosophy from Wittenberg University and his Master of Divinity from Gettysburg Lutheran Seminary. Even though completing Lutheran seminary, Dana became an ordained Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) minister and pastored to many individuals at small congregations throughout Ohio, Louisiana and Arkansas. He could strike up a conversation with anyone and proudly shared the word of the Lord with anyone in need.



Dana was active in the lives of his children and always sought out details of their happenings. He was a huge sports fanatic and in addition to following the Indians, Celtics, Bengals, Buckeyes and WWE, he liked to keep tabs on his high school alma mater as well as any sporting stories in the communities he ministered. Dana told bad jokes and loved watching John Wayne and 80s horror movies. He enjoyed grilling out but Fridays were reserved for the buffet at Brown’s Catfish Restaurant where he loved socializing with the owner and staff. Once you became a friend of Dana, you were a friend for life.



He is survived by two children, Joshua Hoover and fiancée Brittany Lockwood of Aurora, Colorado and Shana Hoover and fiancé Robert Bentley of Bowling Green, Ohio; one brother, Kevin (Debbie) Hoover of Crestline and six nieces and nephews, William (Kendra) Rossman, Eric (Ashley Sue) Rossman, Bethanye Frasure, Tracy Hoover and Sean (Katie) Hoover. Dana is preceded in death by a brother and sister-in-law, Michael and Lynn Hoover.



Friends may call from 5-8 pm Tuesday, June 20 at Wise Funeral Service where his funeral service will begin at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday with Pastor Paul Dalrymple officiating. His family will also receive friends one hour prior to the start of his funeral. Burial will follow in Nevada Cemetery.



His family specifically request that in lieu of flowers, contributions be made payable to Wise Funeral Service to assist with expenses or to the Toledo Zoo where Dana loved spending time when the opportunity arose. Donations will be accepted at the funeral home and online memories are encouraged to be shared by visiting his tribute page at www.wisefuneral.com.