Frederick Hoffman

Frederick George Hoffman was a noble man. He loved his family, served his country and fulfilled his career in devotion to the Lord of his life. He was bright and adventurous, dutiful and resilient. Whether at home, on the job or in the church, he served others with respect and joy, leaving a rich legacy of faith, hope and love. Fred was born May 25, 1925 in Muskegon, Michigan, the oldest child of Cloyd C. and Dena (Bowman) Hoffman. Five births in the family included Freds brother Cliff, sister Carol and two siblings who died in infancy. Fred came of age during the Great Depression and, like others his age, met the challenge of the Second World War that earned them the distinction of being named The Greatest Generation. Fred grew up in Muskegon Heights and attended Porter School, Central Jr. High and Muskegon Heights High School through the 10th grade. Although his father worked hard building roads in Muskegon, he couldnt always be relied upon to bring his earnings home. So at an early age, Fred and his brother began to earn money selling magazines or bags of coal and working on celery farms. During that difficult time in his family, Fred learned the value of integrity and dedication. When Fred was in his teens, his mother divorced and later married Lammert Herlein. The marriage added more siblings to the family with his six childrenBob, Betty, George, Mary, Alice and Rogerand Nancy was born to Dena and Lammert. Freds stepfather was wonderful, and it was easy and fitting to call him "Dad". After leaving school, Fred traveled the country for a while with a buddyhopping trains and working on farms and in factories. He had to fudge about his age in order to get work, but he eventually returned to Muskegon and joined the Army Air Corp at age 18 on July 13, 1943. Fred became a ball turret gunner on a B-17, flying a total of 35 bombing missions over Germany with the 381st Airborne. During his years of service, he became pen pals with a young woman back home. Joyce Randall was a friend of his sister, and over the next few years, Fred and Joyce grew a relationship that would last a lifetime. In 1945, while on military leave, Fred married Joyce on the 5th of April. Several months later, on October 27th, he was honorably discharged with the thanks of a grateful nation. He and his new bride first lived in a trailer in Colorado before returning home to Muskegon. They were blessed with four children: daughters Gilletta, born in 1946, Kathleen in 1947, Diana in 1948 and son Fred, born in 1950. Early in Fred and Joyce's marriage, he had driven truck for Bridgeways Motor Freight, Wolverine Express, and independently for a brief time. Over the years, he also worked in the test house at Continental Motors, which later became Teledyne Continental Motors. During a 6-year layoff from Continental, Fred built homes, often with his dear friend Paul Stearns, until being called back to Continental. He was then transferred to Mobile, Alabama with Teledyne Continental in the early 1970s and worked as a test pilot and chief mechanic for over 17 years. He and Joyce made Mobile their home, becoming active members at Grace Bible Church and spending leisure time fishing on their 24-foot boat in the Gulf of Mexico. Since the military, flying had been in Freds blood, so as a civilian, he earned a pilots license and decided to become an aircraft engine mechanic. He had attended Parks College in Illinois in 1959, and upon his graduation, he returned to Continental Motors. He installed and tested engines in such planes as Cessna, Piper, Beech and Mooney. During those years as a pilot, Fred experienced several close calls and emergency landings. He had also taken up sky diving, but a partially failed chute convinced him to stop. In 1987, Fred quit flying for health reasons and retired from a satisfying career with Teledyne Continental in 1990. In retirement, Fred and Joyce returned home to Muskegon, built a home and rejoined Grace Christian Reformed Church after many years away. After building their own home, Fred built homes nearby for daughters Kathleen and Gilletta and their families. He loved spending time with his children, grandchildren and his siblings. Fred and Joyce bought a travel trailer and explored the western states and spent several entire summers in Alaska. How he loved Alaska! On other occasions, they traveled to Europe, enjoying England, Ireland, Italy, and especially trips to Romania to visit their son Fred and his family, as he pastored his church and ministry there. Fred had a brief stay in a care facility until his death on Friday, June 8, 2012. At age 87, Frederick George "Fred" Hoffman had a joyful reunion with his Lord in Heaven. Please join the family in honoring a man of God who served his country and family with devotion, and rejoice in his going to be with his Lord! SURVIVORS Fred is survived by his bride, Joyce (Randall) Hoffman; his children, Gilletta (Marvin) Terlaan, Kathleen VanDyke, Diana (Allen) Alexander; brother, Cliff (Mariwyn) Hoffman; sisters, Carol (Herb) Postema, Nancy DeGraves; step-brother, George (Carol) Herlein and step-sisters, Betty (Pete) Gzym and Mary (Hank) Hawkins, Alice Covington; in-laws Marilyn Herlein, Marie Herlein. Fred and Joyce have 11 grandchildren, Norman (Su) Dillon, Janda VanDyke, Garry VanDyke III, Leann (Ron) Williams, Shane Mouw, Duncan (Tammy) Mouw, Jacob (Theresa) Mouw, Fred Hoffman III, George Hoffman, Gilletta Joyce Hoffman, Colin Hoffman; they have 21 great grandchildren. Preceding Fred in death are his son Fred Jr., a baby brother and sister, Gordon Hoffman and Kathleen Hoffman; his parents, Cloyd C. Hoffman, Dena (Bowman) Hoffman Herlein, Lammert J. Herlein; a dear aunt and uncle, Bill and Gilletta (Gillette) Lawrence; step-brothers, Roger Herlein, Robert Herlein; step-sister, Alice Covington and a brother-in-law, Ralph DeGraves. SERVICE Saturday, June 16, 2012, 11:00 AM at CrossWinds Fellowship, 1910 Ruddiman Drive, North Muskegon with Pastor Allen Alexander officiating. Interment at Lakeshore Cemetery. VISITATION Friday, June 15, 6:00-8:00 PM at Clock Life Story Funeral Home-Muskegon, 1469 Peck Street and Saturday, one hour prior to the service at CrossWinds Fellowship. MEMORIAL: Couriers for Christ. Please visit www.clockfuneralhome.com to leave a memory or sign the online guest book.