John T. Hoffer

John was born December 7, 1935 to Joe and Lucille (Muir) Hoffer in Meadville, Pennsylvania, the youngest of four children. After graduating from high school, he enjoyed adventures such as hitchhiking to Florida, a stint in the Merchant Marine on the Great Lakes, and riding his motorcycle. Then his older sister introduced him to a co-worker at the Talon Zipper Factory whose name was Alice Kudiak. They married on April 27, 1957 in Stoneboro, Pennsylvania, but settled in the Youngstown, Ohio area where John had taken an apprenticeship on the Erie-Lackawanna Railroad. A few years later he disappointed his father by taking a less stable job at an auto factory in Lordstown.

John and Alice eventually had 7 children and were married for over 61 years.

John was a man of many talents.  He built the family home in Girard, made beautiful inlaid wood furniture, dabbled in upholstery and leather working, and even sewed down jackets and a tent for the family. He repaired his cars, appliances and everything else.  He also enjoyed traveling with the family, camping and backpacking, even hiking earlier this year up a California mountain. He was known for his humility, dependability, frugality, and bestowing unusual nicknames upon friends and family.

What was most important to him, though, was serving his God, and he and Alice symbolized their dedication to Jehovah on October 7, 1967. John served as an elder for over 40 years and joined Alice in the full time ministry for 24 years after his retirement. He lived and died confident in the Bible’s wonderful promises for the future.

John was preceded in death by his parents; his sisters Marge and Beverly; his brother, Jimmy; and his son, Andy. He is survived by his wife, Alice; their children: Tony, Lisa, Lori, Michael, Jodi, and Jenny and their spouses; 10 grandchildren and their spouses; and many nieces, nephews, and friends.  A memorial service will be held on August 25, at 4:30 PM, at Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Hubbard. The family will receive relatives and friends from 3:00 until the time of service.  Visit www.blackstonefuneralhome.com to view this obituary and to send any condolences to the family.

God…will wipe out every tear from their eyes,

and death will be no more, neither will mourning

nor outcry nor pain be anymore.

The former things have passed away.

-Revelation 21:4