Memorial Service

The memorial service will be held at 2:00 pm at:

Napier Parkview Baptist Church
245 W. Napier Ave.
Benton Harbor, MI
49022
ph: 269-925-3219

For an informal time of visiting come to the church at noon. The church will provide a meal following the service.

Accommodations:

Baymont Inn is offering a bereavement rate of $59 per night (the contact is Margot, and mention Frank Hooper). They have rooms available for Friday night, the 25th, but none for Saturday. A full breakfast is included. Their phone number is 269-428-9111. Their address is 2601 W. Marquette Woods Rd., Stevensville, MI.

Next door is a Comfort Inn at 2633 W. Marquette Woods Rd. They have rooms available both nights, but we don't have a rate quoted yet. It will be higher. Their number is 269-428-4888.

Both hotels are at exit 23 on I-94. The Hooper family will be staying at Baymont Inn.

Obituary

Frank Hooper, 83, of Waterville, OH, went to be with his Lord on Saturday, August 12, 2006. He was born September 12, 1922 in Warnock, OH. While serving in World War II, he met and married Eloise Sherard of Minneapolis, MN. Following the war he attended Moody Bible Institute, graduating in 1948. He received his B.A. in History from the University of Minnesota in 1951. He served as pastor of Baroda Bible Church in Michigan from 1952–1955. Frank and Eloise were missionaries in Puerto Rico for 31 years, founding a servicemen’s center and Grace Bible Church. He traveled for Cadence, International from 1986–1989. He served as visitation pastor at Napier Parkview Baptist Church in St. Joseph, MI from 1989–1999. Frank and Eloise moved to Adrian, MI in 2001, where Frank was an active member of West Rome Baptist Church. In August 2005, they moved to Waterville, OH and became members of Monclova Road Baptist Church. Surviving to cherish his memory are Eloise, his wife of 60 years; their daughters, Kathy Smith of Muskegon, MI, Patricia (Lowell) Noreen of Frontenac, MN, Rebecca (Michael) Willi of Waterville, OH, and Jeannette (Jon) Eckles of Adrian, MI; nine grandchildren; five great-grandchildren, and hundreds of spiritual sons and daughters. Frank died at home in his sleep after a short battle with cancer. The family established a website for his friends: frankhooper.blogspot.com. Please visit to see pictures and leave remembrances. Arrangements by Peinert Funeral Homes. A memorial service will be held at Napier Parkview Baptist Church at 2:00 on August 26. In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to Moody Bible Institute, 820 N. LaSalle St., Chicago, IL, 60610.

Service Information

The viewing will be held on Monday, August 14th, from 7-9 pm, at:

Peinert Funeral Home
Waterville Chapel
7220 Dutch Road
Waterville, Ohio 43566

The funeral will be at 11:00 am on Tuesday, August 15th, at:

Monclova Road Baptist Church
7819 Monclova Road
Monclova, OH 43542

There will be a memorial service at 2:00 pm, Saturday August 26th, at:

Napier Parkview Baptist Church
245 W. Napier Ave.
Benton Harbor, MI 49022

In lieu of flowers, please send memorials to:

Moody Bible Institute
820 N. LaSalle St.
Chicago, IL 60610

There will be obituaries in the Sunday editions of the Toledo Blade, the Adrian Daily Telegram, and the St. Joseph Herald Palladium.

Frank Has Gone Home

At 6:45 am Saturday morning, Frank surprised us all by quickly going to be with his Lord. Eloise was with him, and he looked up to heaven as he took his final breaths. His passing was peaceful. The previous afternoon and evening he had been uncomfortable and restless. It seemed that he had made the decision to go be with Jesus. The family grieves the loss, but rejoices that Frank can walk on streets of gold.

Memorial service arrangements to follow on the website and by email.

The Great-Grands

Frank's had a hard day. He's not been able to talk, eat, or get out of bed. The hospice nurse said he would have good days and bad. Jeannette and grandson Jacob came down in the morning.

We hope he'll have some good days this weekend, as granddaughters Storme and Heidi are visiting with their families. They're already at Jeannette's, and will begin coming down tomorrow a few at a time.

Eloise, the Willis, and Kathy have been grateful for the delicious meals and desserts from friends at Monclova Baptist church, which Frank and Eloise now attend, and West Rome Baptist, which they attended while in Adrian.

Here's a picture of the five beautiful great-grands.

Recent Picture of Grandpa

This is a photo with Brian, Pat's son, taken August 5th in Minnesota.


Frank's had a great day! He read the cards he got in the mail, listened to Kathy read the Daily Bread and the Bible, and sat in the living room chair and visited with family.

Visitors

Daughter Kathy arrived last night to spend a few days with Dad. Howard and Dale Wallace also drove up from North Carolina for a brief but precious visit. Howard honored Dad with his Naval achievment medal for all the spiritual and moral support Frank gave the servicemen and women in Puerto Rico.

Kathy's daughters, Storme and Heidi, will be here on Friday and Saturday with their families, and Pat and daughter Sara will be coming on Saturday. If Dad is holding up, some of you who have been asking to see him can perhaps come next week. We know he would love to see each of you, but distance, time and other commitments will prevent that reunion in this life. We have a more joyous gathering prepared in a far more glorious place.

As I write, Dad is having a soothing bath administered by an aide from hospice. The medications are taking effect, and he is much more comfortable. He continues to enjoy your messages of love, so please keep them coming.

Hospice

The past two days have been active with hospice nurses in and out. Today they brought a hospital bed and oxygen and some changes in medication to help with discomfort and nausea. Kathy is driving in late tonight to spend a few days, and her kids and grandkids (Frank's grands and great-grands) will come for brief visits this weekend.

Eloise asked that we convey how much your messages and phone calls have encouraged her during this difficult time. We read new comments to Dad a few at a time as they come in. He is weak, but your messages bring smiles and even tears as he remembers the good times spent with each of you. You can tell he is thinking more and more of heaven and less and less of this life as he prepares to meet his Lord. What a glorious reunion is in store for us!

Pictures from Granddaughter

Jaci, Jeannette's daughter, sent these photographs. If you have any digital photographs you'd like to share, please send them to michaela.willi@gmail.com. Of course, we all enjoy reading your comments about how Frank has impacted so many lives.

Hospice made a home visit today, and as soon as Becky has a chance to sit down, she'll give us an update on his medical condition.

Frank and Eloise were made king and queen for the day at a reunion, where they were able to see many of the former servicemen.

Jaci's 8th grade graduation.

Camping two summers ago in MI. The little girl in the background is Emma, Storme's daughter.

Frank and Eloise at Jeannette's home.

Pictures from Eloise

Scroll down to the next post for the most recent information. We've been printing out your comments and reading them to Frank. He smiles at the memories they recall.

Home in Waterville

Frank arrived home in Waterville on Saturday. Becky and Jeannette drove him home from Rochester (where Pat lives) and, of couse, Eloise was along. He took the trip fairly well (11 hours in the van).

Hospice is coming on Monday to see what they can do to keep him comfortable. Frank is experiencing quite a bit of pain in his right side and has trouble eating. He is still able to have a small bowl of his much-loved oatmeal for breakfast and seems to enjoy soup. Otherwise, he is sleeping most of the time. Your messages of love and concern are being relayed to him, and it brings him much comfort to know of your prayers on his behalf. He is already receiving many cards, and they are lined up on Eloise's buffet for him to enjoy.

Welcome

Thanks for your thoughts and prayers for Frank. He is very weak and not been able to talk on the phone but he appreciates your outpouring of love.

Just to give you a brief explanation of events: In May and June Frank had episodes of blood in his urine. The doctors gave him antibiotics as they felt it was due to an infection. He finally saw a urologist who ran some tests in the middle of July and found tumors in his bladder. At that point we decided to come to Mayo Clinic for further diagnosis and possible treatment. He has had procedures done here before and they were quick to give him an appointment. Our first
appointment was on August 1st and immediately the doctor sent him for a biopsy of his liver and a bone scan. It was discovered that he did have cancer in the bone and liver. We are still awaiting the final report on the liver biopsy as they seem unsure at this time whether his cancer is truly bladder cancer or if it might have originated in the liver.

Until about 3 weeks ago, Dad was feeling pretty good - perhaps a little weak but still mowing the lawn, going for his daily walks, etc. Then, he started going markedly downhill each day - experiencing weakness, nausea, lack of appetite and some discomfort in his lower back and legs. We have Dad on a pain medication and a sleeping medication and have contacted Hospice of Northwest Ohio and plan to meet with them when we get home.

Thank you for your continued prayers. Many of you have expressed a desire to come and see him and when we get him home we are hoping that he will be able to have visitors. Right now he is extremely exhausted and sleeps most of the time. He is not talking much and does not seem to have the strength to visit, but if he expresses an interest in seeing his dear friends, be sure we will let you know. We will use this website to keep you posted and send you messages from him.

The Lord is faithful and we know he will continue to give strength and peace.

-Eloise, Kathy, Pat, Becky and Jeannette

Pictures of Frank

Characteristic smile

With daughter, Kathy, and great-grandson, Noah



Walking pals

Proud grandpa.