Gretchen L. Hovis

Former Gibsonburg resident, Gretchen L. Hovis, 97, passed away at the Henry Ford Village, Dearborn, MI, on Sunday, April 9, 2017. Gretchen was born on May 26, 1919 in Gibsonburg to Ralph and Florence (Zorn) Hovis. Gretchen graduated from Gibsonburg High School in 1937, attended Miami University in Oxford, OH from 1937-1939 and graduated from Bowling Green State University in Bowling Green, OH in 1941.  Gretchen attended physical therapy training at Walter Reed (Army Medical Center) from 1942-1943 in Washington, D.C. and Ft. Sill, OK.  She was commissioned in 1943 and assigned to the 50th General Hospital (sponsored by Seattle College, Seattle, WA) in Camp Carson, CO in 1943.  The 50th General Hospital was an overseas unit and was stationed in Scotland and France for approximately 2 years, arriving back in the United States in October of 1945. After serving in the United States Army, Gretchen worked in a private clinic in Seattle, WA; followed by work in the United States Marine Hospitals in Seattle, WA, Detroit, MI, Staten Island, NY, and San Francisco, CA.  She also worked in the Veteran Administration Hospitals in Los Angeles, CA and in Dearborn/Allen Park, MI.  Gretchen retired in 1974.  As an inveterate, imaginative and generous party giver, Gretchen made many friends throughout her life. She was a member of the Fairlane Club, where she was an active tennis player.  She performed volunteer work through 1986 for Meals on Wheels, Tutor in Literacy Program, Michigan Cancer, and the Detroit Grand Opera Association.  Gretchen was preceded in death by her parents and brother Ralph W. Hovis, Jr. A visitation will take place on Wednesday, April 19, 2017 at 10:00 AM with a service to immediately follow at 11:00 AM at the Dearborn Chapel on Howe-Peterson Funeral Home, 22546 Michigan Ave., Dearborn, MI 48124.  A luncheon will be held at Park Place located at 23400 Park St, Dearborn, MI 48124, following the service. Burial with Military Rites will take place on Friday, April 21, 2017 at 10:30 AM at West Union Cemetery located in Gibsonburg Ohio. Memorial contributions can be made to St. Paul Lutheran Church of Dearborn, MI, Zion Lutheran Church of Gibsonburg, OH, American Lung Association and/or The Women in Military Service for America. Herman-Veh Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Gibsonburg, assisted with local arrangements.