On November 25, 2025, Lola Jane (Hiatt) Hoover passed away peacefully at her home at the
age of 96. Lola was born to Charles and Nelle (Foster) Hiatt on April 5, 1929, and was
welcomed home by an older brother, Bill. Growing up and even into adulthood her family
lovingly referred to her as Lola Jane, and by nicknames 'Sis' and 'Squirt'.
Lola grew up in the St. Louis Crossing area and graduated from Clifford High School in 1946.
She then began working at Arvin Industries in Columbus, and over the course of her life she
continued to work at Arvin's off and on in various departments. She was one of the first key
punch operators in the data processing department, and after an accumulated 50 years of
service, she retired from the payroll department. Lola also attended Franklin College for a year,
and that is where she met her husband on a blind date.
Lola and Tommy (Thomas E. Hoover, who preceded her in death in 1999) married on July 29,
1950 at the Methodist parsonage in Hope. Lola was a member of the Hope United Methodist
Church since September of 1950, having actively participated in the women's group (WSCS),
Pairs and Spares adult Sunday School class, teaching children's Sunday School, and helping
whenever needed. Lola and Tommy resided in Hope on Washington Street where they raised
their four children. Lola called it home for 73 years.
After retirement Lola enjoyed many years traveling with Tommy, experiencing a wide array of
scenic landscapes and cultures. They made new and lifelong friendships through their travels.
She and Tommy flew on the Concorde to Great Britain and returned to the U.S. aboard the ship
Queen Elizabeth 2. She also visited many states while attending Tommy's Air Force Squadron
reunions where they reconnected with old friends.
Lola was an honorary member of the Hope Ladies Care Club (formerly known as the Kil Kare
Klub), and had been a longtime member of the Rho Chapter of Kappa Kappa Sigma Sorority.
She volunteered as contact/caretaker for the Hope American Legion Hall for many years.
Lola was a kind, giving, and generous person. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother,
friend, and neighbor to many. Lola took pleasure in spending time outdoors, often seen picking
up sticks in her yard and sitting in her porch swing. She enjoyed her flowers, especially her
beautiful yellow roses. She liked feeding the hummingbirds, going for drives in the country,
taking trips to see Christmas lights, doing crossword puzzles, reading, watching golf and college
basketball, being a movie buddy with her grandchildren, and baking. Her family has fond
memories of her persimmon pudding, angel food cakes, her 'Lola burgers', Moravian sugar
cakes, and her delicious variety of Christmas cookies.
Lola is survived by four children, Michael (Sandy) Hoover of Hope, Susan Thompson of
Columbus, Sheryl Alyea of Hope/Muncie, and Jon (Michelle) Hoover of Indianapolis; eight
grandchildren, Jason Hoover of St. Louis Crossing, Caleb Hoover of Columbus, Elisha Hoover
of Phoenix AZ, Cody (Alisha) Thompson of Columbus, Lindsey (Matt) Swenson of Austin TX,
Patrick (Jessica) Alyea of Muncie, Noah Hoover of Fishers, and Trey Hoover of Indianapolis;
eleven great grandchildren; three great-great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
Lola was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, her brother, an infant daughter (Sara),
and her son-in-law Lowell Thompson.
A funeral service will be held on Thursday, December 4 at 11:00 a.m. at Norman Funeral Home.
Visitation will be Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on
Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Hope Moravian Cemetery.

Monetary contributions may be donated to Hope United Methodist Church.