Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana

Obituaries

Related Photos

Discussion

March 22, 2013

Merrill D. Hoban

Jan. 20, 1922 - March 20, 2013

Merrill D. Hoban, 91, Kokomo, passed away at 3:25 p.m. Wednesday, March 20, 2013, at St. Joseph Hospital. He was born Jan. 20, 1922, in Decatur County to the late Denny and Fern (Norvel) Hoban. On Aug. 10, 1947, in Brook, he married Lois E. McKain, who survives.

Merrill was a 1940 graduate of St. Paul High School. He also received a bachelor’s degree from Indiana Central College in 1947, and later received a master’s degree from Indiana University.

He served in the United States Air Force during World War II from 1943 until 1946. During the war, he was a flight instructor, B-17 pilot in England and a transport pilot in France. Merrill’s first bombing raid turned out to be the last bombing raid of the war in Europe. Following the war, he joined the Air Force Reserve, retiring as a lieutenant colonel after 22 years of service.

Merrill was a schoolteacher in Sellersburg in 1947 until he moved to Kokomo in 1951. He taught at Northwestern for 31 years, during which time he taught health, science, math and physical education. Merrill was also a basketball and cross country coach from 1951 until 1962. He also served as athletic director from 1962 until 1972 and then taught math from 1972 until 1982.

His hobbies included fishing, antiques and golf, which he did not begin playing until he was 70. He was also a member of St. Luke’s United Methodist Church and a charter member of Northwestern Lions Club.

He is survived by his wife, Lois Hoban; children, Jane H. (John H.) Nickoloff, Hendersonville, Tenn., and James M. (Judy E.) Hoban, Greenwood; grandchildren, Melinda (Tony) Paterson, Megan (Tommy) Thompson, Julie L. (Andrew) Price, and Pamela (Terry) Reeser; great-grandchildren, Michael Towns, Jack Patterson, Mallory Patterson, Bentley Thompson, Zayne Thompson, Hannah Reeser and Holly Reeser.

He was preceded in death by his parents; and two brothers, Charles Hoban and Joe Hoban.

Funeral services will be at 3:30 p.m. Saturday at St. Luke’s United Methodist Church, 700 Southway Blvd., with the Rev. Mitch Norwood officiating. Burial will follow in Sunset Memory Gardens Cemetery. The family will receive friends at the church from 3 to 8 p.m. today and one hour prior to services Saturday.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Luke’s United Methodist Church or a charity of the donor’s choice. Shirley & Stout Funeral Home & Crematory is assisting the family with arrangements. Messages of condolence may be submitted online at shirleyandstout.com.

 

Text Only | Photo Reprints
Obituaries
Featured Ads
Only on our website
KT Twitter Updates
Follow me on Twitter

Community Calendar
Loading…
Events by eviesays.com
AP Video
Probe Begins After Conn. Commuter Trains Crash NTSB Begins Investigation Into Conn. Train Crash Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools $1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids Raw: Bear Falls From Tampa Tree Ousted IRS Chief: Errors Not Caused by Politics Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge Could Tobacco Be the Next Biofuel? Wash. State Releases Draft Rules for Legal Pot Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction Officials: Texas Tornado Likely Had 200 Mph Wind Brothers Arrested in NOLA Parade Shooting
Parade
Magazine
Click HERE to read all your Parade favorites including Hollywood Wire, Celebrity interviews and photo galleries, Food recipes and cooking tips, Games and lots more.