Novie Hodge

Novie Hodge Novie Wilson Hodge, 91, of Milan, passed away Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Milan Health Care Center. The youngest child of Lloyd and Jennie Ransom Hodge, Novie was born December 8, 1923 in Milan, MO. He attended the McClaskey country school and was a 1943 graduate of Milan High School. On June 12, 1943 Novie was inducted into the US Army where he served in World War II as a Communications Seargent in the 27th Infantry. He was a Combat Infantryman and Rifle Sharpshooter and received the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal and Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star. He received Honorable Discharge January 17, 1946. Novie was very proud to have served his country. Novie was working in Galesburg, IL for the railroad when his father died and he returned to Milan to manage the family farm he was raised on. He and his brother Sig had a trucking business. He was employed with FM Stamper hauling live turkeys. Novie then worked construction with Irvinbilt until he retired. He also raised cattle. On December 25, 1951 he married Phyllis Taylor and two sons were born to this marriage. Novie was a member of Mason Lodge #210 AF & AM, Seamans Lodge, Carpenters Union, NRA life member, a 50 year plus member of American Legion Post #228 in Milan, a life member of the American Legion and of the Veterans of Foreign War Post #2508 in Kirksville, MO He enjoyed dancing at the Kirksville VFW where he also often bartended, the American Legion suppers and music nights, and visiting with his neighbors. He enjoyed tending his cattle and playing fetch with his border collie Boots. Reloading shells and shooting his guns was a favorite pastime while he was able. Novie is survived by one son, Stephen Hodge and wife Ellen of Milan; one daughter-in-law, Ellen Hodge; four grandchildren, Carson Hodge and wife Misti; Wesley Hodge and wife Jenny; Jenny Smith and husband Brad; and Lindsey Mosley and husband Brice; ten great grandchildren, Breann, Brittney, Caden and Cameron Hodge; Myranda, Marcus and Mason Shipley; Ryan and Jackson Smith; and Hayden Herzberg, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers Lloyd Lee and Sig Hodge, one sister Betty Clem and one son, David Hodge on April 13, 1999. Funeral services will be held 2:30 P.M., Saturday, May 2, 2015 at the Schoene-Ruschmeier Funeral Home in Milan. Burial will follow in the Oakwood Cemetery in Milan. A visitation is scheduled Saturday from 1:00 P.M. until the time of service. Memorials may be left to Oakwood Cemetery or American Legion Post #228 in Milan.