James H. Hoover

James "Herb" Hoover, born June 14, 1931 in Berrien Springs, passed away on April 11, 2021 at Lakeland Hospital in St Joseph, at age 89.

James spent most of his youth living in Berrien Center and graduated from Eau Claire High School in 1950. After graduating, he went to work at Studebaker Corp. in South Bend, then married Betty Graham Hunt in January 1953 (she preceded James in death in August 2010). Together they built their first home on US 31 and their second home on Pokagon Road, where they together raised three sons--Dennis, Mike and Rick.

During this time James was employed at Kawneer Door Company in Niles for 22 years. From there James and Betty purchased a fruit farm on Eau Claire Road in 1974 and he also began working as a carpenter, and soon after, he became a Licensed Contractor, building homes in many locations across Berrien County.

In the 1990s he went to work for Berrien Township and Berrien Springs Village as Building Inspector until retiring at age 82. During all those working years he provided well for his family in a generous way, with the building trade as the center of his working interests, and training his three sons in this trade as well. He was very well known for his work and from his public work as Building Inspector.

He is survived by his sister, Ethel Glueckert; his three sons: Dennis, Mike and Rick Hoover; grandchildren: Eric, Sarah, Aaron, Rachel and Hillary – Hoover; great-grandchildren: Weston, Devan, Alley and Blake – Hoover and Ava and Wyatt Cole; nieces: Sandra Winters, Cheryl Glueckert, Ann Sexton; nephews: John, Chris, Keith Glueckert, Terry and Ron Hoover, and Kevin Buyer.

There will be private graveside services, and a Memorial Service will be announced at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to International Children’s Fund (a favorite charity of James and Betty Hoover). Share memories online at www.allredfuneralhome.com.