Reverend John Ernest Hofer, Jr. , 87, formerly of South Whitley, went to be with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, at 10 p.m. Monday, September 2, 2024 from Sacred Heart Village in Avilla.

He was born November 12, 1936, in Ashland, Ohio, the son of the late Reverend John and Dorothy (Oberholtzer) Hofer.  Growing up in Norwood, Ohio, he graduated from Norwood High School in 1954, where he served as class president and the varsity "N" Club.  He was a two-term president of the Luther League of Ohio and vice-president of the Luther League of America of the United Lutheran Church. He continued his education at the University of Cincinnati, studying engineering until he felt the undeniable calling to the ministry.  He graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1960 and the Hamma School of Theology in 1963.  During his summers from seminary, he worked at Steel Products Company in Springfield, OH, on the Gemini Rocket design team.  On May 21, 1963, he was ordained by the Ohio Synod of the Lutheran Church of America, beginning his lifelong passion for serving in the ministry.

In 1961, he married Wendy Wittner.  The couple raised three boys.  Wendy died in 1990.  On August 17, 1991, he married Barbara Ann Shipley Clark.  They resided in Millersburg until January 1997, when they moved to South Whitley.

From his Ordination until early 1964, John served as Assistant Pastor at Augsburg Lutheran Church in Toledo, OH.  Then, from 1964 to 1968, John served the Christ the King Lutheran Church in St. Clairsville, OH.  He then became the Pastor at St. Stephen's Lutheran Church in Indianapolis.  In 1969, he became the Pastor at St. Peter's Lutheran Church in Millersburg and St John's in Fish Lake serving until his retirement in 1997.  He then worked as a seasonal worker for Stumps/Shindigz in South Whitley for 11 years, as well as filling in as an interim Pastor and providing coverage for Lutheran Ministers during vacations and medical leaves.

John's passion was to serve the Lord and minister to his congregation.  He loved his family, and when the grandkids came along, they became his focus and pride.  He enjoyed watching their school sports activities.  During his free time, he liked to do woodcrafts and keep current with his family's activities.

He leaves behind his wife, Barbara; his children, Mark (Joyce) Hofer of Goshen, Michael Hofer of Fort Wayne, and Martin "Herb" Hofer of Valparaiso; stepsons, Mark Clark of South Whitley, Jim Clark of Indianapolis and Christopher (Terri) Clark of Avilla; grandchildren, Shawn (Rob) Love, Melissa (Josh) Ledford, Zachary (Becki) McCue, Seth Miller, Madison (Noah) Shepherd, Mariah (Ethan) Lash, Cassidy Clark, Cordell Hofer, Alexander Hofer, Dominic Hofer, Stephanie (Clay) Kennerk, Ella Hofer, Katharine Hofer, John Hofer, Matthew Hofer, Eliana Clark, and Abriel Clark; and a brother-in-law, Nelson Langefeld of Cincinnati, OH.

Additionally, he was preceded in death by a sister, Charolle Langefeld.

A memorial gathering is from 1 p.m. until the funeral service at 3 p.m. on Sunday (September 8th) at Smith & Sons Miller Chapel, South Whitley.  Burial is at a later date at the South Whitley Cemetery.

Memorials in John's honor are to the Eberhard Lutheran Church.