MASONTOWN — Michael “Big Mike” Dale Hovatter Sr., 71, of Masontown, passed away Monday, March 20, 2023, at Mon Health Medical Center in Morgantown.
He was born in Morgantown, on Feb. 9, 1952, a son of the late Clarence Richard Hovatter Sr. and Ida Lou (Quinn) Hovatter.
Mike was a 1970 graduate of Valley High School. He owned and operated his own trucking company for many years. His true passion was building hot rods with his brother Steve, which he showed and drove as much as he could.
In later years, he helped his son operate Mike’s Towing. He enjoyed eating breakfast at the “Round Table Meetings” with the guys. Mike had a big heart and was always there to lend a hand to his children, grandchildren, friends and anyone he met along the way that needed help.
He is survived by the love of his life for 40 years, his wife, Donna (Long) Hovatter; his children, Tracy Hovatter and Rick Nelson of Newburg, Danelle Cale and Rick of Reedsville, Kelly Plum and Grant of Tunnelton, Michael D. Hovatter Jr. and Vicki of Masontown and Christy Holipsky of Reedsville; 12 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren and four great-grandsons on the way; one sister, Doris Lacey of Mobile, Ala.; a brother, Lloyd Hovatter and wife Deanna of Masontown; brothers and sisters-in-law, Doug and Charlotte Long, Diana and Woody Boorse, Carolyn and Randy Trickett, Carla Ellifritz, Bonnie and Brad Bolyard and Terry and Nan Long; special lifelong friends, Don, D.J. and many, many more; several nieces, nephews and his buddies, Gizmo and Billy.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by a grandson, Ricky Nelson Jr.; one sister, Bernice Zimmerman; four brothers, Clarence “Junie” Richard Hovatter Jr., Jack Hovatter, Jamie Hovatter and Steve L. Hovatter; four brothers-in-law, Roger Long, Bubby Ellifritz, Frank Zimmerman and Jim Lacey and a sister-in-law, Carolyn Chidester.
Friends and family were received at the Field Funeral Home in Masontown on Thursday. They may also call at the funeral home on Friday, March 24, from noon until the 1 p.m. service time, with Pastor Kelly Gamble officiating.
Entombment will follow in the Sunset Memorial Gardens Mausoleum in Kingwood.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mike’s memory to Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 8th Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, NY 10001. Checks should be made payable to “Alzheimer’s Foundation of America” or the charity of your choice.
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