Submitted by: Dan Rich
June 16, 1921 - Dec. 16, 2008
South Bend Tribune 12/18/2008
SOUTH BEND - Eleanor Marie Gessner Hoopman went to be with
our Lord on December 16 after a long and wonderful life. She was
87. Eleanor was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and
great-grandmother. She was preceded in death by her parents,
Elmer and Mabel Gessner; her sister, Judith Challoner;
her brother, Royce Gessner; numerous extended family members and
friends. She is survived by her husband, Harold D. Hoopman, the
love of her life; her daughter, Judith Kristin (Hoopman) Hains;
her son, David W. Hoopman, and wife, Terry; and her son, Michael
J. Hoopman, and wife, Mary. She is also survived by her
grandchildren, Melissa (Hoopman) Denson and husband,
Travis, Joshua Hains and wife, Karrissa, Derek Hoopman and
wife, Caresse, Elizabeth (Hains) Pielemier and husband,
Casey, Susan Hoopman, Kelsi Hains and Rebecca Hoopman. Eleanor
was recently blessed with her first great-granddaughter, Ella Kay
Pielemier, who was named after Eleanor. Special family members
also include Bill Gessner, her nephew, as well as Mike, Aleta,
Makenna and Connor Foust. Her family was her life, and she loved
them all deeply. Eleanor had an amazing and eventful life. After
growing up in North Dakota and becoming a teacher, she moved to
Charleston, South Carolina, where she met Harold,
"Hoop," as she always called him. They wed on July 6,
1946, and took off on a lifelong journey that would have them
move 24 times and travel many miles around the world. After
living in Guatemala, they moved to Findlay, OH, to raise their
three children. Following Hoop's retirement, they moved to
Diamond Lake in Cassopolis, Michigan. As grandma Hoopie, she
spent some of the happiest times of her life with her family. She
loved planning unbirthday parties, working in her herb garden,
reading books, knitting, baking pies and watching the sailboat
races. She will be missed by all those who loved her and had a
great privilege of knowing her. Their lives will be forever
changed because of her presence.
The family would like to thank all of the wonderful people, especially those with Senior I Care, who have helped care for Eleanor. Also a special thank you to Debbie Huff for all her devoted care and love. You all have been a blessing to our family and to Ellie. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to the following organizations in her memory: The Child Development Research Center, Texas Tech University, P.O. Box 1230, Lubbock, TX 79409; Lions World Services for the Blind, 2811 Fairpark, Blvd., Little Rock, AR 72204; or Cancer Patients Services, 1800 North Blanchard Street, Suite 120, Findlay, OH 45840.