Leslie Eugene HOFFMAN

HOFFMAN, GODDEL, PERRY, HARNESS, HOFFMAN-FARMER, FARMER, BEECHER, SORENSEN, BENGTSON, GIBSON, WRIGHT

Posted By: Sarah Thorson Little (email)
Date: 2/10/2024 at 13:06:42

July 14, 1930 ---- February 22, 2018

Master Chief "Jack" Hoffman, USN (Ret)

Leslie Eugene “Jack” Hoffman, son of William Henry Hoffman, II and Edith Ethel (Goddel) Hoffman was born on July 14, 1930 at Goldfield, Iowa. He peacefully passed away Thursday, Feb. 22, 2018 at Elm Heights Center in Shenandoah, Iowa surrounded by family at the age of 87 years, 7 months, 8 days.

Jack grew up in Southwest Iowa, receiving his education at country schools in Adams County, Nodaway and Shenandoah. As a young man, he was involved with boxing, engaging in boxing matches in Carbon, Iowa and at the Adams County Fairs. He was paid 50 cents for boxing three two-minute rounds. He also worked on the farms of family friends and in coal mines around Carbon.

Jack enlisted in the United States Navy on St. Patrick’s Day of 1948, serving for 25 years and reaching the highest enlisted rank of Command Master Chief . He served in a variety of capacities in many locations including San Diego, Seattle, Alaska, Guam, Oregon, Hawaii, Des Moines, Virginia, the Azore Islands and San Francisco.

During his Navy service Jack served on three ships, the USS Shelton, the USS Hanson and the USS Mobile. During the Korean Conflict, Jack’s ship, the Shelton, took enemy fire, killing 12 of his shipmates and blowing a five foot hole in her bow.

On May 20, 1952, Jack was united in marriage in Council Bluffs, eloping with Sarah Perry. They had two children, Nick and Joni. They raised their children in the Navy lifestyle, moving every two or three years to various locations around the United States and Portugal. After retiring from the U.S. Navy, Jack worked various jobs, the last one being at Beecher Chevrolet in Shenandoah, retiring at the age of 83.

Jack enjoyed many activities including fishing, golfing and drag-racing while living in the Azore Islands. He also loved the Nebraska Cornhuskers and the San Francisco 49ers. He served for many years as a member of American Legion Post 88 and he served for one year as the Exalted Ruler of the B.P.O.E. Lodge in Shenandoah. He loved his family unconditionally, including his wife, children and grandchildren.

Jack was preceded in death by his parents; step-mother, Marie Hoffman; brothers, Tom, Dick, Dallas and Louis; sisters, Cora, Wanda, Iva and Mae; step-sister, Rachel; and step-brother Willard. Jack is survived by his wife, Sarah of Shenandoah; his children Nick (Janet) of Osburn, Idaho and Joni (Mike) of Denver, Colorado; four grandchildren, Douglas (Paula) of Denver, Stacy (Scott) of Denver, Lesli of Phoenix, Arizona and Kaitlyn of Seattle, Washington; and his sister, Corina Jean of Maryville, Missouri. He is also survived by his brother-in-law, Merlin Harness of Overland Park, Kansas; his two sisters-in-law, Viola Hoffman of Villisca, and Annalee Hoffman of Sacramento, California; many nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends.

Celebration of life services were held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 27, at Nishna Valley Funeral and Cremation Service with Pastor Nancy Thomas officiating. CMDR Michael G. Sorensen, US Navy (Ret) gave the eulogy. Honorary bearers were Douglas Hoffman, Stacy Hoffman-Farmer, Lesli Sorensen, Kaitlyn Hoffman, Dean and Marcia Beecher, Joe and Judy Bengtson, Ron and Sherry Gibson, CMDR (Ret) Harry Wright and Jill and all of Jack's nieces and nephews. Special music was "Look At Us", "Go Rest High On That Mountain", "The Navy Hymn" and "Anchors Away".

Registry attendants were Phyllis Allely and Floy Nally. Military rites were accorded by the Shenandoah American Legion Post #88 Honor Guard. Memorials in Jack's name are being directed to the Shenandoah First Christian Church, The Shenandoah Food or People For Paws. The Nishna Valley Funeral and Cremation Service in Shenandoah was in charge of the arrangements.

Valley News -- Shenandoah, Iowa
February 27, 2018