Lola Jane (Hiatt) Hoover, 96, Hope

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 a.m. at Norman Funeral Home. Visitation will be Wednesday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. and one hour prior to the service on Thursday at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Hope Moravian Cemetery.