Stephen Edward Hoop

Stephen Edward Hoop, who was fondly called Steve, was born to the union of Earl Franklin Hoop, Jr., and Elizabeth Louisa Schmitt Hoop on July 13, 1961. He departed this life in Ocala, Florida, at 6:40 pm on Friday, May 22, 2026. Steve's father, Earl Franklin Hoop, Jr. (DOD: 11/11/2013), a native of Peebles, Ohio, retired from the US Air Force as a Senior Master Sergeant after being stationed in Ohio, Alaska, and Georgia. After he retired from the US Air Force, when Steve was 8 years old, his father served as CEO of River Park Hospital in McMinnville, Tennessee. When Steve was 12 years old, his family relocated to Ocala, Florida, at the request of HCA, where his father served as CEO of Marion Community Hospital (now HCA Ocala Hospital). Steve's mother, Elizabeth Louisa Schmitt Hoop (DOD: 03/01/2021), a native of Tipton, Indiana, who was fondly called Betty, gave birth to six children (Michael, Michele, Douglas, Stephen, Jeffrey, & Joseph) while Earl was stationed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Fairborn, Greene County, Ohio. Steve and his five siblings all traveled with Earl and Betty when Earl was stationed in Alaska and Georgia and moved to Tennessee and Florida. Betty, a registered nurse for 20 years, served as a nurse at the Marion Community Hospital (now HCA Ocala Hospital) and became a successful real estate agent after retiring from nursing. Steve is survived by his daughter, Eloise, and her mother Stella Belinda House; all five of his siblings; the following nieces and nephews, Michael Hoop, Jr., and his wife, Ivy, and their two children. Noah and Everly; Hunter Hoop; Lindsey Hoop; and Dallas Hoop. Steve was preceded in death by his daughter, Jennifer; paternal and maternal grandparents; parents; Uncle Vaughn Hoop, Uncle William Schmitt, Uncle Fred Schmitt, Uncle Jacob Schmitt, and Uncle David Schmitt. He is survived by his Uncle Richard ("Dick") Hoop & his wife, Garnet; Uncle Charles Hoop & his wife, Betty; Aunt Nancy Eubanks; Aunt Linda Fisher & her husband, Joseph; Aunt Sarah Schmitt, Aunt Jacqueline Schmitt, and Uncle Gregory Schmitt & his wife, Dena. He shared a very close bond with his Uncle Dick's family, especially his cousin, Susie Robinson, and his Uncle Greg Schmitt's family. Steve lived life to the fullest and was a man of many talents. He was an inventor. Steve and his brother, Jeff, invented and designed fairing guards for use on Harley Davidson motorcycles. He loved to ride Harley Davidson motorcycles. He loved nature, land, and the water. He spent many summers on the beach and weekends at the lake. He fished regularly and hunted often. He loved animals, especially dogs and horses. He also loved to cook and feed his family and friends. Like his mother, he liked to buy and sell real estate too. The one thing everyone who knew Steve Hoop remembers most about him is his laughter and smile. He will ALWAYS be remembered by the sound of his laughter and with a smile on his face. Family and friends may pay their respects during the visitation on Saturday, May 30, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm, at the Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home, in Peebles, Ohio. Funeral services will be held immediately following the visitation, on Saturday, May 30, 2026, beginning at 7:00 pm, at the Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home, in Peebles, Ohio. Pastor Ken Bolin will officiate the service. Graveside services will be held the following day, on Sunday, May 31, 2026, beginning at 11:00 am, at the Locust Grove Cemetery, in Peebles. Funeral arrangements are being handled by the Wallace-Thompson Funeral Home. Please visit us at www.wallacethompsonfuneralhomes.com to leave words of comfort for the family in our online guestbook.

Tributes

Stephen Edward Hoop

July 13, 1961 - May 22, 2026