Alys Eilene Hoover

Alys Eilene (Wisner) Hoover went to be with the Lord she loved on September 21, 2022, at the age of 95. She was born at home on January 8, 1927, to Joseph Cecil Wisner and Bertha Eva (Gibney) Wisner. The family moved during her childhood to Fremont, Indiana; Montgomery; Michigan, then Eden, Ohio where she graduated from high school. She graduated college from Western Michigan University with an associate degree in business, belonged to Sigma Tau Chi Honorary Business Fraternity and played saxophone in the band. Moving to East Lansing in the 1950’s, she worked for MSU for the State Soil Conservation Committee. She married Clarence R. Hoover in 1956. She was a stay-at-home mom to Debra until she reached high school, volunteering as a Camp Fire Girls leader, Girl Scout leader, and a reading mentor at Northwestern Elementary. She returned to work for the State of Michigan where she worked for the Department of Corrections until her retirement in 1986. A lifelong learner and traveler, she attended 33 Elderhostels and traveled with friends through Europe, Russia, and all 50 US States. She became a Christian clown, belonging to Circus Clown Alley #155 and loved to make children smile, participating in parades, circuses, and the fair. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church in groups, missions, bible studies, and United Methodist Women for 60 years. She volunteered in the community at the hospital gift shop though the Auxiliary, at the Lansing Art Gallery, at blood drives, and delivered Meals on Wheels. She had many creative hobbies and was an avid MSU sports fan. She loved to play cards with friends at the Senior Center. Her example of participation and leadership in her church and community lives on in her family.
Alys was preceded in death by her parents; husband in 1986; sisters, Mary Louise Richards and Jean Todd in 2015; granddaughter, Emily Salisbury; stepson, Rex Hoover of DeWitt. She is survived by her daughter, Debra (Mark) Salisbury of Eaton Rapids; stepdaughter, Carolyn (Billy) Crego; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at a later time. Arrangements were entrusted to the Mills Funeral Home, Shelly-Odell Chapel in Eaton Rapids. To leave condolences for the family, please visit our website, millsfuneral.com.