Rhea J. Hoover, 87, of Odin passed away Friday, January 5, 2024, at Odin Health Care Center. She was born on September 8, 1936, the daughter of Frank Edmund and Stella Esta (Laughery) Wilcox in Elk Lick close to West Union, West Virginia. She married Howard C. Hoover on June 5, 1953, in Flora and he precedes her in death.
Survivors include; her children, Kerry (Tami) Hoover of Centralia, Illinois and Inglis, Florida, Douglas Hoover of Odin, Monte Hoover (Julie Kelly) of Odin, and Stanley Hoover of Centralia; grandchildren, Michael Hoover and wife Alicia, Melissa Hoover-Lowery and husband Scott Lowery, Christopher, Nick, Stacy and Curtis Hoover, Ray Albert III and wife Mandi, Caralyn Albert, Terry and Brian Bierman, and Anya Kelly and significant other, Kelly Eagan; great-grandchildren, Zachary, Connor, and Lindsey, Lana Rose, Arnoni, Givoni, Caleb (Faith), Hunter (Laci), and Reed; great-great-grandchildren, Emersyn, Jones; many nieces and nephews, extended family members, and friends.
Rhea was preceded in death by her parents along with her husband of 66 years, Howard Hoover; and her brothers, Keith (Norma) Wilcox, Rex (Helen) Wilcox, Frank (Joyce) Wilcox; sister, Imogene (Fred) Gordon; son, Kent Hoover; grandchild, Lana Albert.
Rhea grew up in Clay City, moving to what she has called home, Odin in 1968. She worked for Kaskaskia Special Education District in Centralia for 17 years, finishing her over 20 year career retiring from Jordan School in Centralia. Rhea also was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother, caring for them and going above and beyond with her time and her love. She gave back to her community whenever she could, serving as Den Mother for her sons’ Cub Scout Troup, and volunteering at the Helping Hands Food Pantry in Odin and the Linus Blanket Association. She was of the Protestant faith and a member of the Community of Christ Church in Salem. Rhea brought beauty to her neighborhood with her flower gardens, where you could find her weeding her flowers and manicuring her lawn. Her family will forever treasure the precious quilts she tenderly made for them. Rhea was the best baker, and everyone will remember the wonderful smells of her famous lemon squares and gingersnaps coming from her kitchen. Rhea’s life of generous dedication to others will be remembered by all who were blessed to know her.
A private family graveside will be held at a later date at Peaceful Valley Cemetery in Odin with Stan Morrison officiating. Memorials may be made in Rhea’s honor to Helping Hands Food Pantry at the Gospel Light Church in Odin and will be accepted for the family at Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia. Online condolences and memories of Rhea may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
