Alton Hoopengardner

Buck Valley, Pennsylvania

Alton Burns Hoopengardner, age 80, of Buck Valley, Pa., was welcomed into heaven on Saturday, July 25, 2020.

Born on his family farm located on the Mason Dixon line, on December 2, 1939, he was the son of the late Guy and Jane Hoopengardner.

Alton was a member of the Hancock High School class 1957. He attended Frostburg State College and earned Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees. In 1962, he enlisted in the Army. He served as an intelligence agent in the 902nd Military Intelligence Group in Washington, DC. He attended Airborne School, followed by Special Forces Training at Ft. Bragg, earning his Green Beret. He was a proud veteran and was actively involved in the Buck Valley Memorial Day Service for many years.

After serving for 3 years, he married the love of his life, Alleene Mae Frost on June 26,1966. They moved to the family farm and spent their life together raising their family until her passing May 11, 2005. Both were educators and were a positive influence on many students in their combined 60 years in education. Alton spent his career employed by the Washington County Board of Education in both the Hancock and Clear Spring communities, and was often approached by former students with fond stories and tributes.

An avid auction goer and lover of all things with a history, Alton found joy in acquiring the perfect treasure for his collection and couldn’t wait to tell you about his finds. His collections were varied and many, but they could not compete with the passion and love he had for his family. He was a true patriarch.  Alton adored not only his children and grandchildren but also the numerous members of his extended family. He was the “keeper of the genealogy” and loved to update his book with new additions. His kindness, compassion and wisdom impacted people of all ages throughout his lifetime and he will be missed by those who called him dad, grandpap, brother, uncle, and friend.

Alton was a long-time member of Buck Valley Christian Church where he served as an Elder; a Sunday School teacher; and a member of the choir. He served the community as part of the Hancock Grange #402, serving as an officer at local, county, and state levels. He was a member of the Cove Mill Tractor Club and the Grease Steam and Rust Association. He enjoyed showing off his Oliver tractors and took great pride in the restoration work that came out of “the shed” on his farm.

In addition to his wife and parents, Alton was preceded in death by his son, Aaron John Hoopengardner; grandsons, Jonah and Carter Motz; a brother, Ronald J. Hoopengardner and his wife, Sandra; and two brothers-in-law, Barry Bernstein, and Jack Frost.

He is survived by two daughters, Angela Fentress, of Hancock, Md., and Anne Motz and her husband, John, of Vienna, Va.; a son, Adam S. Hoopengardner and his wife, Lisa, of Warfordsburg, Pa.; grandchildren, Tristan and Noah Motz, Emma Fentress, and Mae and Gavin Hoopengardner; four sisters, Linda Bernstein, Doris Hoopengardner, Donna Rowland and her husband, Mike, and Terry Shade and her husband, Mike; a sister-in-law, Barbara Gwaltney; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and lifetime friends.

A viewing will be held on Friday, July 31, 2020, from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m., at the Buck Valley Christian Church, 2281 Harmonia Road, Warfordsburg, Pa. The family will receive visitors outside on the church lawn. An outdoor service will be held on Saturday, August 1, 2020, at the church, beginning at 10:00 a.m. It is suggested that those attending bring lawn chairs. A live stream of Saturday’s service will be available on the church website and church Facebook page.

If you wish to make a monetary donation in Alton’s honor, in lieu of flowers, please donate to the science scholarship begun in Alleene’s honor: Elbin, Hoopengardner, and Ritz Science Scholarship, c/o Southern Fulton Junior-Senior High School, 13083 Buck Valley Road, Warfordsburg, PA 17267.

Arrangements were entrusted to the Grove Funeral Home, in Hancock, Md. Online condolences will  be accepted at www.grovefh.com