David J. Hoff

David J. Hoff, age 83, of Richmond, died Saturday, November 24, 2007, at his home after an extended illness. David was a man who deeply loved his family and his many friends and was loved in return. He was born August 28, 1924 in Richmond to Harry James and Gladys C. Jordan Hoff and was a lifelong resident of Richmond. David was a 1943 graduate of Richmond High School. He also attended the City College of New York and Carnegie Tech in Pittsburg, Pennsylvania. At a special ceremony, David received his High School diploma honoring veterans who were fighting in World War II while their classmates graduated at home. While serving in the U.S. Army during World War II he was an Engineer assigned to the Combat Engineer Detachment in Europe and the South Pacific. A tireless supporter of the Richmond Senior High School Alumni Association, he was a part of the group who placed the War Memorial Plaque at the school entrance in 1943. After the War he joined his father’s business at Hoff Sheet Metal. In 1949, David and his brother Stephen started Hoffco, Inc. and began manufacturing and selling outdoor power equipment. He was the President and Chairman of the Board of Hoffco, Inc, retiring in 1996 after 47 years. David was a member of Central United Methodist Church, a 32nd Degree Mason, a 50 year member of Webb Masonic Lodge #24, Indianapolis Valley of Scottish Rite, Richmond Golden “K” Club, American Legion Harry Ray Post, Richmond High School Breakfast Club and a former member of Rotary. As a member of the Boy Scouts of America he received the Boy Scout Silver Beaver Award. He was an avid outdoorsman and gun enthusiast who loved camping and canoeing Indiana’s rivers and exploring his second home state of Arizona. Survivors include his wife, Lillian M. Gooding Hoff, to whom he married February 8, 1986; daughter, Susan Bell and her husband Robert of Scottsdale, Arizona; son, Barry D. Hoff and his wife Lindalee of Strawberry, Arizona; Lillian’s daughters, Rebecca Ann Jaffe and her husband Marc of Indianapolis and Pamela Sue Hedges and her husband John of Andover, Minnesota; Lillian’s son, Steven A. Gooding and his wife Carol of Sarasota, Florida; grandchildren, Allyson Bell of Huntington Beach, California, Ryan D. Bell of Scottsdale, Arizona, Trevor Hoff of Phoenix, Arizona, Jeremy J. Hoff and his wife Katie of Strawberry, Arizona, David G. Hoff of Strawberry Arizona, Jesse Gooding and his wife Zoe of St. Petersburg, Florida, Sara Jaffe-Berman and her husband Michael of Chicago, Illinois, Melissa Jaffe of Indianapolis, Ross Jaffe of Indianapolis, Alex Hedges of Andover, Minnesota and Chase Hedges of Andover, Minnesota; nieces; nephews; sister-in-law, Nancy Hoff of Florida; many friends and the Friends Fellowship Community. He was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Delores Crosley Hoff who died August 14, 1984; brother, Stephen J. Hoff who died in 1989; and sister, M. Elizabeth Gago who died in 1990. Funeral services for David J. Hoff will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday, November 28, 2007, at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road W., Richmond, with Rev. Ron Foulk and Rev. Eldon Harzman officiating. Burial will be in Earlham Cemetery. Friends may call from 5-8 p.m. Tuesday, November 27 at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Richmond High School Alumni Association, 308 Hub Etchison Parkway, Richmond, Indiana 47374 or the Boys & Girls Club of Wayne County, 1717 South L Street, Richmond, Indiana 47374 or the Boy Scouts of America, Hagerstown Valley, 199 South Plum, Hagerstown, Indiana 47346 or the Central United Methodist Church, 1425 East Main, Richmond, Indiana 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com.

David J. Hoff

August 28, 1924 - November 24, 2007