Obituary of John H. Hoak

Mr. John H. Hoak, Sr., 89, of 416 E. Main St., Titusville died at 1:30 AM on Friday, February 18, 2011 at the Titusville Area Hospital. Mr. Hoak was born on November 5, 1921 in Aspinwall to the late John H. and Emma Gaenzle Hoak. He was a veteran of World War II having served in the US Army. He entered the service on June 8, 1942 at Pittsburgh. While in the Army he was an aircraft mechanic. He was honorably discharged on November 3, 1945 at Andrews Air Force Base in Washington, DC with the rank of Sergeant. Mr. Hoak was a graduate of the University of Pittsburgh where he earned a degree in engineering. He was formerly employed as a metallurgical engineer for 25 ½ years with Cyclops Specialty Steel Corp. Mr. Hoak was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was also one of the founding members who volunteered at the Titusville Toy Shop for more than 10 years and was also an original member of the Over the Hill Gang which helped to build and maintain trails at Oil Creek State Park. He was an avid fisherman. He enjoyed gardening especially growing tomatoes and roses, and an exceptional woodworker. Mr. Hoak is survived by his second wife, Joyce Smalley Buchanon Hoak of Titusville; five children, Sue L. Hoak of Pittsburgh, John H. Hoak, Jr. and wife Kathy of Big Horn, WY, Audrey J. Hoak and companion Kelly Dickman of Aspinwall, Fred N. Hoak and wife Ruth of Makanda, IL, Mark A. Hoak of Arlington, TX; six step-children, Sandra Vroman and husband Rick, Amy Williams and husband Denny, Debra Kolacek and husband Karl, Paul Smalley and wife Linda all of Titusville, Barbara Medilovic and husband Sead of Erie, Janette Phillips and husband Todd of Meadville; 6 grandchildren, 5 great grandchildren, 14 step-grandchildren, 10 step-great grandchildren, and 3 sisters, Ethel Slater of Pittsburgh, Louise Henderson of Lancaster, and Lois Hoffman and husband William of Metairie, LA. He was preceded in death by his first wife, Virginia Mangis Hoak whom he married on September 26, 1947 at Aspinwall. She passed away on June 28, 1994; and 3 sisters, Martha Vaughn, Elizabeth Kurtz and Rosemary Hoak. Friends may call at the Gordon B. Garrett Funeral Home on Monday from 7 to 9 PM and attend the funeral service from the First United Methodist Church on Tuesday at 11:00 AM with Rev. William Blair, officiating. Interment will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Benson Memorial Library 213 N. Franklin St. or to the Titusville Toy Shop 115 St. John St. FLOWERS