Barry Hoover

He was born on a farm in Brookville, Ohio on October 6, 1939 to the late Philip and Wilma Hoover and remained a farmer throughout his life.

After high school Barry raced cars and played semi-professional football in Dayton, Ohio and had great stories about life after segregation.

In his early career, Barry worked for National Cash Register Company (NCR) and Tokyo Electronic Computers (TEC) as a district sales manager; traveling considerably and eventually meeting Diane – his wife of 40 years – on a trip to the Upper Peninsula when he asked her to dance. Barry also owned and operated the Sears Catalog Store and eventually the Coast to Coast store alongside Diane. They proudly managed the business together as well as their blended family. Barry sold real estate in the latter part of his career.

In retirement Barry enjoyed spending time on their property – gardening, hunting, bird watching, bonfires, and visiting with family and friends. He loved the Green Bay Packers and Detroit Tigers. Barry worked out at the gym almost daily and loved nothing more than riding his e-bike around town. He and Diane wintered in Panama City Beach, Florida for more than 10 years where he took college classes and stayed up to date with the latest technology.

Barry was a dedicated member of the Kiwanis Club of Alger County. In 2023, the Wisconsin District of Kiwanis International honored him as a Distinguished Member for Membership and Education for exemplifying excellence in growing the club, encouraging members to invite new people and for their work toward building a stronger membership. He participated in road clean up, holiday light tours, the ringing of the bell for Salvation Army, served as Program and also Scholarship Chair for the Kiwanis Club, and countless other community service engagements. He coached the local Peoples State Bank and Moose Lodge Little League teams for several years.

Barry was known for his old school values, positive attitude, words of wisdom and saw the best in everyone. He had old-fashioned values that his kids and grandchildren appreciate today and even hand wrote thank you notes to all who supported him through his wife’s passing.

Even after the devastating loss of Diane, he persevered in his last years of life traveling the country to attend his grandchildren’s graduations, going on his first cruise, to a professional baseball game and attending Tai Chi and dance lessons in Marquette. He proudly remained independent and active.

He is survived by his children- Robyn (Ed) Traywick of Ohio, Kyle (Marge) Hoover of Florida, Rachelle (Bob) Hannah of Wetmore, Wayne (Stacy) Brock of Marquette, Scott (Laura) Brock of Kingsford, Sheri (Alan) Quattrin of Georgia, Barry Hoover of Florida, and Kelly (José) Navarro of Florida; eighteen grandchildren – Leslie, Brett, Josh, Denae, Nick, Kent, Samantha, Margrit, Alice, Katie, Philip, Matthew, Nathan, Sara, Violet, Bryan, Alex, and Zachary; two great grandchildren – Derek and Grayson;  sister in law- Sharon Seaberg of Munising; and many friends. Barry was preceded in death by his wife, Diane Hoover, biological father, Philip Hoover, who fought and died in the Battle of the Bulge, mother and stepfather who raised him, Wilma and Rich Fryman, aunt – Shirley Kastens, and granddaughter Bridget Brock.

Visitation with family and friends will be on Friday, October 3, from 10:00 a.m. until1:00 p.m. at the Bowerman Funeral Home where Pastor Jim Rogers will conduct his funeral service to celebrate his life beginning at 1:00 p.m. with a luncheon to follow.

Barry’s obituary and online guestbook may be viewed and signed at bowermanfuneralhome.net.