SHIPSHEWANA —
LaVern Hooley, 87, died Tuesday at 12:45 a.m. at his home. He had been in declining health.
He was born May 28, 1923 in LaGrange County to Noah J. and Sovilla (Blough) Hooley.
He married Lois Lambright Aug. 12, 1944. They shared 66 years of great marriage.
He was a farmer his entire life and had a passion for raising Shetland ponies and miniature horses. He and his wife were owners of the pony rides at the Fort Wayne Children’s Zoo for 22 years. He also started the "Horse Around Town" carriage rides in the city of Fort Wayne.
He was a member of Shore Mennonite Church and served as Mennonite Aid Director for a number of years.
He was a long time blood donor at the local Red Cross.
Survivors include his wife, Lois Hooley; a daughter, Beverly Hooley, Middlebury; two sons, Phil (Dorothy) Hooley, Shipshewana, and Byron (Nellie) Hooley, Fort Wayne; five grandchildren, Allen (Lori) Hooley, Fort Wayne, Nathan Hooley, Shipshewana, Abby (Benji) Knox, Pinnacle, N.C., Cory (Sarah) Hooley, Fort Wayne, and Derek (Angela) Hooley, Atlanta, Ga.; six great-grandchildren, Cameron, Sadie, Myles and Cole Knox, Pinnacle, N.C., Lucas Hooley, Atlanta, Ga., and Charis Hooley, Fort Wayne; and two sisters, Florence Rheinheimer, Shipshewana, and Fern Showalter, Goshen. He is also survived by his favorite A-1 dog, Katie.
He was preceded in death by both parents; two brothers, Ernest and Francis Hooley; and a daughter-in-law, Janet Hooley.
Visitation will be from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday and from 5:30 p.m. until the 6:30 p.m. funeral service Tuesday, all at Shore Mennonite Church. Services will be lead by the family.
There will be a 10 a.m. graveside service Wednesday with Rev. Carl Horner officiating.
Burial will be in Shore Cemetery, Shipshewana.
Miller-Stewart Funeral Home, Middlebury, is assisting with arrangements.
Memorial contributions may be made to Rainbow Years Learning Ministry.
Online condolences may be sent at www.millerstewartfuneralhome.com.
