Obituaries

March 2, 1927 to September 9, 2017

WINAMAC - Henry "Hank" Mooi, 90, of Rochester, formerly of Winamac, passed away at 8:08 a.m., Saturday, Sept. 9, at Lutheran Hospital, Fort Wayne.

He was born March 2, 1927 in Mount Greenwood, IL to the late Henry and Annie Mollema Mooi. On Oct. 19, 1957 he married Alice M. Asmus in LaPorte. She survives.

He is preceded in death by: 
Elizabeth Kelderhouse Mooi Step-mother 
John Mooi, Brother 
Herman Mooi, Brother 
Tena Jongsma, Sister 
Janette Regnerus, Sister

Mr. Mooi was a graduate of Tilden Tech High School in Chicago. He served in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He served on three aircraft carriers in the Pacific Theater and on one sea plane tender in the Atlantic theater. He was aboard the USS Cabot providing air cover during the Japanese surrender on the USS Missouri. He was honored to meet and visit with famed journalist Ernie Pyle shortly before Pyle's 1945 death. He was proud to travel to Washington D.C. on a northeast Indiana honor flight in 2015. In 2016 he was honored with a Quilt of Valor for military service. 

Mr. Mooi was a retired farmer who specialized in raising gladiolas. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Winamac and was a Life Member of VFW Post 1728 in Winamac. He enjoyed woodworking, traveling and fishing.

Visitation will be from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, Sept. 13, at Frain Mortuary, Winamac. The funeral service will follow at 11:30 a.m., (Wednesday), at the funeral home with Pastor Dave Marty officiating. Burial will be at McKinley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Winamac. The VFW and American Legion will conduct military graveside services.

Memorial donations made be given to the First United Methodist Church of Winamac.