Curtis L. Hovenden, 51, South Whitley, passed away while being held in the arms of his loving wife on Monday, Dec. 14, 2015, at his home. Born May 2, 1964, in Cheverly, Md., he was the son of George “Dave” and Patricia A. (Gilbert) Hovenden.

He grew up in the Washington D.C. area and at the age of 10 moved to California for a year and a half before moving to South Whitley. In his junior year of high school, he moved to Duncan, Okla. where he graduated from Duncan High School with the Class of 1982. He continued his education, spending some time at a college in Tennessee and received his B.S. degree in Business from Brown Mackie College in 2008. While at Brown Mackie he founded the club, Business Professionals of Tomorrow.

It was in 2006 that Curtis met the lady of his dreams, Naomi Lynn Lash. On Nov. 25, 2014, they were married at Lutheran Hospital, the same place where he proposed to her. Curtis loved spending time with his wife and enjoyed coin and stamp collecting. He also enjoyed watching sports but even as a boy because of illness, he could not compete in them. It was always a dream of his to be a sports broadcaster, combing two things he enjoyed so much- talking and sports. While at Whitko High School he and his friend Michael Hoover always had a dream of having a radio show together and would name it, “The Hoov and Hov Show”.

Curtis had worked at Reelcraft in Columbia City and also at Dana before he became too ill to work. While not feeling well, he liked to watch Pawn Stars, American Pickers and the Antique Road Show. On Friday, Dec. 11, 2015, Curtis was confirmed and joined the Oak Grove United Methodist Church where his wife attends.

He is survived by his wife: Naomi Hovenden; father and stepmother: Dave and Marsha Hovenden, Locust Grove, Va.; mother and stepfather: Patricia and Hank Foy, South Whitley; stepfather: Jerry (Tina) Phelps, Huntington; brother: Shawn Hovenden, South Whitley; sisters: Terrie (Bryan) Fielding, Duncan, Okla.; and Tabatha (Dennis) Irvine, Wabash; son: Travis Hovenden, Warsaw; and several nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held from 10 a.m. to noon Thursday, Dec. 17, at Oak Grove United Methodist Church, Columbia City. His funeral service will start at noon at the church with Pastor with Kevin Thomas officiating. Memorial donations may be made in his memory to the church. Funeral arrangements are with DeMoney-Grimes, a Life Story Funeral Home, Columbia City.