DONNA HOOVER

Donna Bontz Hoover, age 84, of Vandalia, MO, a loving mother, a prominent business owner and loyal friend passed away at 11:37 AM Monday, March 31, 2025, at her home.
Funeral services will be held 11:00 am Thursday, April 3, 2025, at the Waters Funeral Home. Bro. Tommy Simons will officiate. Burial will follow in the Vandalia Cemetery. The funeral service will be live streamed on Donna's memorial page at www.watersfuneral.com, starting a few minutes before 11 AM.
Visitation celebrating Donna's life will be held 5:00 pm until 8:00 pm Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at the Waters Funeral Home.
Donna was born on July 30, 1940, at home in rural Ralls County about 8 miles north of Vandalia, MO the daughter of Herman Leslie and Willie Fay (Benn) Bontz. She was the last surviving child of five. She was very much loved by her siblings, James Earl (Hannah), Eugene Leslie (LaMona and later Mary), Floyd Francis (Betty) and Catherine Pearl (Joe) Runyon.
Survivors include her daughter, Dea Raechelle Hoover and her husband Andrew "Declan" Rutan of the Hill in St. Louis, MO; several nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Donna attended Bridgewater country school graduating 8th Grade and was a 1957 graduate of Vandalia High School before consolidation, as Salutatorian of her class at the age of 16.
In August 1957, Donna began employment at Harbison-Walker Refractories Company. She worked there as secretary to C.E. Deppe and in the Shipping Office for C.R. Lowney. In August 1964 she began working as secretary to Vincel Allee, Director of Elementary Education.
On June 11, 1960, Donna was united in marriage to Donald R. Hoover, a marriage that encompassed 58 years. Don passed away on October 29, 2018.
Don was drafted during the Vietnam War in 1966. He was stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska at Fort Wainwright Army Base, Donna followed him in March 1967. She was employed during those 17 months by Claims Service of Alaska. They returned to Missouri in August 1968, where she continued working as secretary for Ron Stallcup, Director of Elementary Education.
Donna and Don purchased an independent insurance agency in 1971, when she was expecting Dea and they operated it from their home for 10 years. They later purchased Vandalia Tire & Battery from Herman Grafe, changing the name to Vandalia Firestone & Appliances. She continued operating it along with 3 loyal employees until her death on March 31, 2025.
Donna was baptized at Southside Baptist Church while in high school. She and Don were engaged on Christmas Eve 1959, and the first Sunday after attended First Baptist Church. She changed her membership to First Baptist Church in July of 1960, when Don was baptized there. Donna was active in WMU (Women's Missionary Union) and a Young Women's Circle organized by Dorothy Belshe. She and Dorothy remained friends along with husbands Don and Bob until their death. She later was active in Sunday School, teaching an Adult Class, then later 1st & 2nd Grade Sunday School for 15 years, teaching and directing, 3rd & 4th Grade VBS (Vacation Bible School), Mission Friends, and GA's for 15 years.
Mrs. Hoover became a member of Vandalia Business & Professional Women's Club in 1968, and held all offices except Secretary and was District Director for one year. The club was finally dissolved in 1993. She remained lifelong friends with many of the women in the club where they all enjoyed doing community projects.
During Dea's years in 4-H she was the Community Leader and a Project Leader for Brice Happy Hustlers Club, was Treasurer of Band Parents at Van-Far, and was a member of The Order of the Eastern Star with her daughter Dea and husband Don.
Don & Donna were caregivers for Sandy Renner for 28 years at Tri-County Care Center at the request of her parents who had been neighbors and friends of theirs for years. Donna said they were mission-minded and God dropped a mission project right in their laps. Neither of them ever had any regrets.
Pallbearers will be Nathan Hoover, Joey Runyon, Steve Bontz, Tony Dameron, Bryan Evans, Darin Fugit and Shawn Reading.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Carter Fugit, Charlie Fugit, Jared Runyon, Dustin Perkins, Charles "Eddie" Hoover, Roger Hoover and Frank Welch.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Missouri Baptist Children's Home or the Baptist Homes of Tri-County, in care of the Waters Funeral Home.
Flowers may be ordered through the Vandalia Florist Phone # 573-594-3444.
Online condolences may be made to the family and video tribute viewed on Donna's memorial page at www.watersfuneral.com