Elston Gerald Hovatter, Sr.

Elston “Hovie” Gerald Hovatter, Sr., 89, of Hebron, passed away at his home on Wednesday, May 20, 2009. He was born on September 22, 1919 in Rowlesburg, West Virginia to the late Charles E. and Ella Agnes Burns Hovatter. Mr. Hovatter graduated from Delmar High School in 1938 before proudly serving his country in the U.S. Army during World War II. During his service he was wounded in Germany and received a Purple Heart. He was a long time member of the American Legion Post 237 in Hebron. He worked at E.I DuPont in Seaford for 38 years before retiring in 1978. He was a member of St. Paul’s United Methodist Church in Hebron. Other organizations that he belonged to were Temple Lodge #170, AF & AM in Mardela Springs, Boumi Temple, Scottish Rite Baltimore Valley, Scottish Rite Salisbury Valley, Eastern Shore Shrine Club, Eastern Sho’ Forest #53 Tall Cedars of Lebanon, Roelma Chapter #113 Order of the Eastern Star in Sharptown, AARP and the Happy Timers. He was a devoted husband, father and grandfather and was an avid hunter until his later years. He is survived by a son, Elston “Jerry” Hovatter, Jr. and his wife Joyce of Salisbury; two daughters, Charlene Hovatter Armentrout and her husband Keith of Salisbury, and Patricia S. Hovatter Reno and her husband Mike of Friendsville, Tennessee; five grandchildren, Jason Hovatter and his wife Arrowyn of Portland, Oregon, David Armentrout and his wife Elizabeth of Parsonsburg, Sarah Armentrout of Salisbury, Elizabeth Robinson and her husband Mark of Maryville, Tennessee, and Sean Larkin of Friendsville, Tennessee; three step grandchildren, Jonathan Reno of Tacoma, Washington, Susanna Reno of Texas and Christina Reno of Maryville, Tennessee; two great granddaughters, Manzanita Hovatter and Jenna Armentrout; a sister, Wanda Hovatter of Salisbury; and several nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Myra Howard Hovatter, seven brothers and three sisters. A visitation for family and friends will be held on Friday, May 22, 2009 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. at Short Funeral Home, 13 E. Grove Street in Delmar, where a Masonic Service will be held at 8:00. A funeral service will be held Saturday, May 23, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. The Reverend James Riley will officiate. Interment with military honors will follow at Hebron Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in his memory to American Diabetes Association, 114 Baptist Street, Salisbury, Maryland, 21803, or Alzheimer’s Association, Eastern Shore Chapter, 209 C. Milford Street, Salisbury, Maryland 21804. Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.shortfh.com.

Elston Gerald Hovatter, Sr.

September 22, 1919 - May 20, 2009