Ronald W. Hoopingarner, age 88, of Dennison, Ohio, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Tuesday, September 8, 2026.
Ron was born September 10, 1937, in Navarre, Ohio, the son of the late Woodrow and Elmira (Brandt) Hoopingarner. In addition to his parents, he is preceded in death by his twin brother Larry Hoopingarner and a niece Tammy Woods.
Him and his twin brother Larry were in the Air Force. They were Air Force Police. They were stationed at Travis Air Force Base in California and Greenland. Both were honorably discharged December 8, 1961.
Sadly missed by his wife Sue (Staley), whom he married April 27, 1974 and celebrated 52 years of marriage; children Vicky Carver, Ron Jr. (Kim) Hoopingarner, Gary Hoopingarner, Shelly (Chuck) Brett, Doug Kreinbihl (Cecelia) and Angie Burton; grandchildren Josh, Jessica, Heather, Shannon, DJ, Marc, Gary Jr., Allison, Rachel, April Angel, Brandon, Derek (Cait)), Sonni (Ryan) and Amber (Alex); sister Lucille Hoopingarner; nieces and nephews David (Mindy) Hoopingarner, Tina (George) Yinger, Larry Steiner (Janice) and Woody Hoopingarner; close friends he was always with Bob Colvin, Ezzi Maculatis, Larry Browning, Ray Miles, Bob Burdette, Dave Hall, Buck Cottrell and John Chapman along with his lifelong neighbors Terri and Brian and the Swigert family.
Ron held the highest degree at the Uhrichsville Moose. He received his Pilgrim degree May 30, 1999. He was a member at the Moose for 51 years. Ron also belonged to the Uhrichsville Eagles, which he was a Golden Eagle; the Dennison Eagles, AIC Club, The K of C Club and the Tusky VFW. He signed up at the clubs every day. He enjoyed going to the Queen of Hearts at the Moose and VFW, his grandson Derek was always by his side.
He loved NASCAR, watching it faithfully. His favorite driver was Mark Martin. Ron was a FORD man as long as a FORD won, he was happy.
Ron raced for 19 years at Midvale Speedway. He was the first driver at Midvale to win back-to-back championships. His racecar number was #68. His first partner was Delmar Clark #69, then later he raced side by side with #67 (John Tantarelli), they were the best of friends. One of his proudest moments was when he was inducted in the Hall of Fame at Midvale Speedway.
He was a mechanic his whole life, worked on many cars in his garage. He retired from Parkway on January 3. 2003. His grandkids always said, “If Grandpa can’t fix it, no one can!”
Ron and his wife Sue camped at Forest Hills for 42 years. He loved it. You would always see him driving the campground in his golf cart. He always took his great grandchildren rides on the golf cart. Ron loved them all so much.
He was an avid Pittsburgh Steeler Fan. Always betting on the Steelers/Browns games with Joe Dorto. He carried in his wallet the first $5.00 he won from Joe.
Funeral services for Ron will be held at 11 a.m., on Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Uhrich-Hostettler English Funeral Home, Inc. in Uhrichsville, with the Pastor Mike Cunningham officiating. Burial will follow at Ridgecrest Memory Gardens in Dover.
Calling hours will be from 4-7 p.m., on Friday, September 11, 2026, at the funeral home.
Any donations may be sent to the American Cancer Society.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Ronald W. Hoopingarner, please visit our floral store.
Uhrich – Hostettler English Funeral Home
634 N. Water St.
Uhrichsville, OH 44683
Tel: 1-740-922-3153
Fax: 1-740-922-1002
www.uhefh.com