H.I. "Hoke" Fletcher left the "poor house" for the last time on February 23, 2018 after bravely battling Corticobasal Degenerative Syndrome for the past several years. "Papaw" as he was lovingly known since having grandchildren, left this world surrounded by the family who loved and adored him.
H.I. was born as the 7th of 8 children in Coeburn, Virginia to William and Rosalie (Deal) Fletcher (both now deceased). H.I. was preceded in death by son Darren Kent, grandson Jeremy Martiss, sister Pauline Robbins and brothers Luther, Leonard, Fred "Claude" and Virgil "John" Fletcher. He is survived by a sister Winnie "Lou" Cantrell of West Branch, brothers Ellis Childress of Virginia and Bill "Hascue" Fletcher of Kentucky.
He served two years with the US Army stationed primarily in Germany (received the Good Conduct Medal of Honor) and returned to southwestern Virginia after completing his service. Against working in the coal mines, he migrated with his then wife Peggy (McJunkin) to Michigan in 1959. He has been a resident of Madison Heights since July 1962.
He taught himself to play guitar/bass and played in numerous country and bluegrass bands throughout the years. His daughters fondly recall the jam sessions frequently held in their Madison Heights home.
H.I was well known for his "handy man" skills and helped so many people with building, repair, remodeling and fix it projects. He worked for Affiliated Incinerator as a welder before going to work at Chrysler as a Machine Repairman. He retired from Chrysler in June 1999. After retiring, he continued working as a radio repairman at Specmo in Flint and Royal Oak.
H.I has four daughters; Novesia Gaye (Gerald) Martiss, Rhonda "Susie" (Edward) Castillo, Terri "Pete" (Tommy) Riley and Judy Lynn (Chris) Kaufmann. Papaw has 10 grandchildren; Melissa Konieczki, Jessica Bobiney, Oscar "Roscoe" and Terri "QT" Brummitt, Stephanie "Steph" and Ava Riley, Megan "Meg" Maki, Jahnesa "Rae" Sebastian and Joseph "Joe" and Lauren Larue. Papaw also has 4 great grandchildren; Ricky, and Conner "the boys" Brummitt, Dylan Bobiney and Aiyana Sebastian. His family meant everything to him.
Visitation will be held on Thursday March 8, 2018 from 4-8 p.m. at Edward Swanson & Son Funeral Home in Madison Heights, MI. The final resting place will be at Oakview Cemetery in a private ceremony. Donations are requested for the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center (https://givemclean.partners.org/SSLPage.aspx?pid=359) then select "Brain Bank Fund" in the (Designation Field) in lieu of flowers.
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