Elizabeth J. (Hoskins) Looney

Pastor Elizabeth June Looney, 88, left this earth for her heavenly home on July 22, 2022, after a lengthy illness.  She was born on April 14, 1934, near Hazard, Kentucky, to Hobert and Agnes (Campbell) Hoskins.  She was one of thirteen children that her parents raised to adulthood. Their upbringing was rich in faith and her grandparents and parents were dedicated to serving God and the surrounding community. They established a legacy for her to carry on and she did that with grace, commitment and love.

Pastor Looney accepted Jesus Christ as her personal savior at the age of 22.  She entered ministry as a Church of God Pastor (Cleveland Assembly) over fifty years ago after a season of evangelizing and working in youth ministry. Her first church was located on Grassy Run Road, Bloomington, Ohio and she led her congregation through a series of relocations due to growth until she built her last church, the Wilmington Church of God, located at 100 R. Gordon Drive in Wilmington, Ohio in 1997. She retired from ministry in the spring of 2019.

She was well-known in the community for her heart for those in need.  Pastor Looney wanted to see that all children were fed, had school clothes and Christmas gifts and she assured that anyone and everyone was served.  She not only supported the community through the Wilmington Church of God Food Pantry (now known as the Elizabeth J. Looney Food Distribution Center), but was an advocate for many of the local charities such as, the Clinton County Homeless Shelter and New Life Clinic. She was involved in the founding of Community Care Hospice in Wilmington, Ohio.  Because of her community service and her humanitarian efforts during Hurricane Katrina, Pastor Looney was one of the 2006 class of Outstanding Women in Clinton County.  Pastor Looney and her church facilitated 10 semi truckloads of goods donated by the community that were sent to Pascagoula, Mississippi in a relief initiative.

Pastor Looney married her husband, Ernest (Ernie) Looney on February 5, 1955.  They met in Dayton, Ohio and lived in the Dayton area until they moved to Wilmington in 1966.  Ernie passed away on March 19, 2011.  They had two children, Gloria Renee and Kenneth Joe. Ernie and the children were great supporters of Pastor Looney’s ministry over the years.

Left to treasure her memory are her children: Renee (Greg) LaPine and Joe Looney, both of Wilmington; granddaughter, Aimee (Chris) Branson of Wilmington; great grandsons: Elijah and Micah Branson; sisters: Claudia Rogers, Youngsville, NC, Ella Tuvell, Wilmington, OH and Linda (David) Chapman, Vandalia, OH; along with a host of nieces, nephews, extended family, church family and many, many friends.

The family extends special thanks to her caregivers: Polly Lewis, Tracey Ford and Paula Howard.  Also, gratitude to Community Care Hospice for their guidance and support.

A private funeral service will be held for the immediate family with Littleton Funeral Home serving the family.

A celebration of life will be held at the Murphy Theater, Wilmington, on Friday, November 4, 2022, beginning at 6pm; friends may gather from 5pm until the time of the service.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to support the Elizabeth J. Looney Food Distribution Center in care of the Wilmington Church of God, 100 R. Gordon Drive, Wilmington, Ohio 45177.