Raymond L. “Hoover” Hefty, 93 of Auburn died Sunday December 31, 2017 at Miller’s Merry Manor in Garrett. He was born January 23, 1924 in Auburn to Harry and Pauline (Ketel) Hefty. Hoover was a 1942 graduate of Waterloo High School.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army in December of 1942 and went to training at Fort Devens and Camp Edwards, both in Massachusetts. He took Amphibious training at Camp Gordon Johnston in Florida. He served in the South Pacific including New Guinea, Admiralty Islands, Solomon Islands, Philippine Islands, Murottal, Dutch East Indies. After the Japanese surrender he served in the occupation of Japan. He was honorably discharged on January 9, 1946 as Tech. Sgt with the 544th Engineer Boat and Shore Regiment. He was awarded the WWII Victory Medal, Bronze Arrowhead, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic – Pacific Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Stars, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, Sharpshooter medal and Good Conduct Medal.

Returning home after the war he was employed at Warner Gear in Auburn until December of 1951. He became an Insurance agent for State Farm Mutual Insurance Company owning and operating his own agency in Auburn until his retirement in December 2002. He enjoyed his family, traveling, cutting wood and activities on the farm east of Auburn. He loved his time at their cottage on Snow Lake, mushroom hunting, snowmobiling and horse racing.

He served as a former precinct committeeman in Auburn and was a former member of the Norris Chapel United Methodist Church. He was a member of the Auburn Presbyterian Church where he was a former Deacon and Sunday School Teacher. He was a member of the Auburn American Legion Post 97. The Legion honored Hoover by making him their guest speaker for the 2015 Memorial Day Ceremony. He was also a member of the Garrett VFW, Waterloo VFW, Auburn Elks Lodge, Angola Moose Lodge, Knights of Pythias, Auburn Jaycees, Indiana Society of Chicago. He belonged to the Auburn Chamber of Commerce and Life Underwriters Association.

He married his wife of 74 years, Dorothy M. Cattell on November 22, 1943 in Auburn and she survives. He is also survived by a daughter Joyce A. Hefty-Covell and her husband Dr. Jack of Auburn, a son Thomas N. Hefty and his wife Frankie L. of Auburn; a daughter-in-law Carrie Ellen Hippensteel-Hefty of Auburn; 6 grandchildren, Morgan (Becky) Hefty, Myles (Jackie) Hefty, James G (Kimberly) Hefty, Hannah (Luke) Feller, Heather (Josh) Miller, Matt (Chris) Franks and 9 great grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, a son James L. Hefty, 2 brothers and a sister, Harry Hefty, Ralph Hefty and Evelyn Kelly.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 4, 2017 from 2:00 to 7:00 PM at the Feller and Clark Funeral Home, 1860 South Center Street in Auburn.

Services will be at 11:00 AM Friday January 5, 2018 at Feller and Clark Funeral Home with Pastor Roger Dilley officiating.

Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Auburn.

Preferred memorials are to the Auburn American Legion or Quiet Knights or DeKalb Health Hospice.