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; and 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 may call at the Field Funeral Home in Masontown, from 2-4 p.m. and 6-8 p.m. on Thursday, March 23, and from noon until the 1 p.m. service time on Friday, March 24, 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.
Condolences:
www.fieldfuneralhome.com
