  Our Elders know about the two Worlds, the Physical World and the Spiritual World. Many times, before we pass to the Spirit World, our relatives, who have gone there before us, will come for us and they will help us. The Spirit World, the Elders say, is a good, happy, and harmonious place. When we die, it means we have only entered another world. We will all see one another again. Sweet Hoover 'graduated' (as he liked to call it) this morning at 3:33 a.m. He stopped breathing peacefully, and with a smile on his face. We are all better for having known him. Thank you for all of your prayers, thoughts, cards, calls, visits, and kind words. It was always the highlight of his days, to be reminded of your love and his life experience with you. Attached please find a brief written eulogy; We will inform you of gathering plans when they are known. Blessings, Melodie Joy 
Today we remember Charles “Chuck” Hoover of Empire, Michigan, who returned to the Cosmos March 11, 2010. Known simply as “Hoover” to most of his current friends, he was appreciated and known for his laid-back attitude, quick and rollicking humor, and love of the sunshine and water. Hoover was a Master of Qi Gong and Tai Chi, and he practiced at the beach and lead classes frequently. He was also a Reiki Master and a Quantum Touch practitioner, and he was honored to use these and other modalities to help others help themselves. Hoover loved to be outdoors; he spent as much time as he could at the beach or in the Magic Bus parked at one of several scenic overlooks. He also enjoyed fishing and boating. One could find him at the beach for sunset most every evening.Hoover was born to Cleon Clement Hoover and Patricia L. Peabody Hoover on July 21, 1949 in Detroit, MI. He made his living as a salesman, a limo driver and an inn keeper. He is survived by his Belovèd, Melodie Joy, of Empire. He was formerly married to Denise Hoover of Woodstock, Illinois, and they are the parents of two extraordinary children, Patrice Hoover of Williams Bay, WI, and ‘Buck’ Hoover of Kenosha, WI. His wealth and happiness laid with them and a legion of close friends. A memorial celebration will be held in Empire in the spring; details will be forwarded to those who received this email. If this notice found you indirectly and you wish to attend, kindly send an email to energeticwellbeing@sbcglobal.net to be notified of date and time. Memorial contributions benefiting Hoover’s children may be made to: Charles Hoover Memorial Fund, Bank of America, N.A., 118 West 1st Street, Hinsdale, IL 60521 Dear Friends and Loved Ones, The plans for our dear Hoover's graduation have been finalized. You are so welcome to attend and celebrate his remarkable life with us. The Memorial service-celebration will be held here in Empire, Michigan. The ceremony itself will be held on Saturday, April 24th, at 2 pm. We anticipate a gathering at the beach at 2:00 p.m. and we plan to 'pass the feather', meaning an opportunity for each attendant to speak and share stories and other remembrances by you, his friends and family. As was Hoover's custom, we suggest that everyone wear something tie-dyed, if possible ;-)! After the gathering, those who are inclined are asked to trek up the trail to the Empire Bluff, where he requested some of his ashes be scattered. From 5 to 7 pm, there will be a simple meal available at the Village Hall, located on the block just west of the Empire Lakeshore Inn. Dish, salad, drink, and dessert with be provided. Clean-up help afterward will be appreciated. Afterward, we encourage attendance at the beach for sunset... a Hoover favorite. A campfire at the beach afterward is another possibility, with enough interest. Most of you know that Hoover and I manage the above-mentioned Empire Lakeshore Inn. The Inn will be available to family and friends that weekend, April 23rd and 24th, at no charge but on a dorm-style basis. This means that each room will accommodate four persons comfortably (2 double beds), and we strongly encourage 'roommate-ing' with friends in order to accommodate as many people as possible. We also request that everyone remove all sheets, pillowcases, towels, and garbage from each room as they leave. For those who are uncomfortable with sharing a room, we have made arrangements with other local motels for your comfort. These accommodations are located in Empire, have private baths, and sleep variable numbers of people. Costs range from $50 per room per night to $80 per room per night. Here is the contact info: Empire House - (231) 326-5524 - Has rooms that sleep 2 for $75. No credit cards. Cottonwood Inn - (231) 326-5535 - Has rooms that sleep 2, 3, and 4 people - rates range from $50 to $80. This facility has resident pets. It is anticipated that several friends and family from Chicagoland/Southern Wisconsin and also Northern Indiana may desire carpooling to Empire. Please consider traveling this environmentally-friendly way; email me at melodiejoy@sbcglobal.net to inquire about carpool-matching. Ypou may also call: (231) 326-5145 or (574) 274-1443 Speaking of traveling... directions to Empire by GPS and online search engines are of limited value. The zip code here is 49630, but inputting the address (11730 S. Lacore Road) often takes folks to a lake several miles north of here... So the recommended route from the southwest is: Michigan Route 31 North (through Holland, Muskegon, Ludington, Manistee, Bear Lake, and Benzonia), continuing into Honor, Michigan. Just past the Drive-In theater screen on the left, take Indian Hill Road, left (north) for 5.9 miles to the stop sign at Fowler Road. Turn left (west) on Fowler for 0.5 miles. Turn right (north) on M-22 (Leelanau Highway) for 4.8 miles into Empire. The Inn is on the NW corner of M-22 and M-72, across from the BP station. Transportation times in good weather are about 7 hours from Chicagoland, and 4.5 hours from South Bend. Sorry, I'm not familiar enough with the Detroit area to offer time estimates. For those in South Bend who are unable to attend, a memorial service is being planned at Sacred Waters, likely July 24th or August 14th. The temperature for Empire on April 24 has historically ranged in the low fifties to mid sixties - please prepare for cool weather. Those who care to hike up to the beautiful Empire Bluff (1.5 miles round trip, National Park Service trail) should dress appropriately. Last but not least, please note this memorial fund change. The Hoover memorial fund, benefiting Patrice and Buck Hoover has been relocated to: Hoover Memorial Fund c/o Huntington Bank P.O. Box 238 Empire, MI 49630 Please feel free to email with questions, and to share this with others who knew and loved Hoover. See you in April. Thank you for your patience and love. Blessings, Melodie Joy    |