Obituaries
WHERE LIFE & MEMORIES ARE HONORED
Obituary for Tommy Joe "Tom" Hoffman
Tom Hoffman, 72, of Mount Carmel, IL, passed away on Sunday, March 06, 2016 at home surrounded by the love of his family. Tom was born October 9, 1943, the oldest of two sons born to Joseph Jr and Mary Jane (Wirth) Hoffman. He married Elizabeth “Liz” Kieffer on February 12, 1966 in Mount Carmel, IL. Recently they celebrated fifty love filled years of marriage.
Tom’s life was centered around his family and farm life. Having been raised on the family farm in rural Keensburg, IL, he chose to be a farmer and also raised his children to know the life of a farm family. Together with his wife, they made a lifelong career in farming, only retiring when his health would no longer allow him to work. For forty plus years Tom was a member of the Wabash County Youth Exhibition Board, serving as President for most of those years. Tom looked forward to County Fair Week every year. He was present every day from the early morning hours until late at night, tirelessly working for the youth of Wabash County. He was a positive role model and very much respected by the young exhibitors at the fair. Tom shared in the pride the children gained with their many accomplishments and had more than a few laughs at some of their antics. Tom could always be found volunteering in some capacity in the outdoor events held during fair week at the Wabash County Youth Center. The track was given the name “Tom Hoffman Track” in his honor.
Tom was a friend to many. His contagious smile and his willingness to give of himself to help others will always be remembered. Tom never hesitated to lend a helping hand no matter the need and many times would be among the first to give assistance. During the Ag Days Festival he could often be found volunteering in the Young Farmers food stand, manning a grill and chatting with friends. Tom enjoyed antique machine shows and restoring his John Deere D tractor. He was very fond of tractor pulling competitions and often drove many miles to watch his son-in-law compete. Tom was especially proud this past summer that his grandson began his tractor pulling career.
Tom was a veteran of the United States Army Reserves, a member of Mount Carmel High School Class of 1961, an FFA Alumni and a member of the Keensburg Christian Church. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Left to cherish Tom’s memory is his loving wife, Liz Hoffman; son, Michael and his wife
Babette Hoffman; son-in-law, Kevin Frerking; grandchildren, Megan and Dylan Frerking, Austin Hoffman and his fiancé Samantha Foshee, Draden and Faith Hoffman, Rikki, Rilee and Kaelyn Slayton; great grandson, Alexander Hoffman; brother, Ron and his wife Sandy Hoffman; sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna Kline, John and Norma Allen, Scott and Vickie Kieffer, and Tim Kieffer; many nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Frerking who passed away on June 21, 2011.
Family and friends are invited to gather from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2016 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Allan Wright officiating. Burial will follow at Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s honor to Celtic Healthcare, Keensburg Christian Church or to Saint Mary’s School Renovation Fund. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Tom’s tribute wall and leave online condolences for the Hoffman family, please visit www.KeepesFuneralHome.com.
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Tom’s life was centered around his family and farm life. Having been raised on the family farm in rural Keensburg, IL, he chose to be a farmer and also raised his children to know the life of a farm family. Together with his wife, they made a lifelong career in farming, only retiring when his health would no longer allow him to work. For forty plus years Tom was a member of the Wabash County Youth Exhibition Board, serving as President for most of those years. Tom looked forward to County Fair Week every year. He was present every day from the early morning hours until late at night, tirelessly working for the youth of Wabash County. He was a positive role model and very much respected by the young exhibitors at the fair. Tom shared in the pride the children gained with their many accomplishments and had more than a few laughs at some of their antics. Tom could always be found volunteering in some capacity in the outdoor events held during fair week at the Wabash County Youth Center. The track was given the name “Tom Hoffman Track” in his honor.
Tom was a friend to many. His contagious smile and his willingness to give of himself to help others will always be remembered. Tom never hesitated to lend a helping hand no matter the need and many times would be among the first to give assistance. During the Ag Days Festival he could often be found volunteering in the Young Farmers food stand, manning a grill and chatting with friends. Tom enjoyed antique machine shows and restoring his John Deere D tractor. He was very fond of tractor pulling competitions and often drove many miles to watch his son-in-law compete. Tom was especially proud this past summer that his grandson began his tractor pulling career.
Tom was a veteran of the United States Army Reserves, a member of Mount Carmel High School Class of 1961, an FFA Alumni and a member of the Keensburg Christian Church. He will be deeply missed by all who knew him.
Left to cherish Tom’s memory is his loving wife, Liz Hoffman; son, Michael and his wife
Babette Hoffman; son-in-law, Kevin Frerking; grandchildren, Megan and Dylan Frerking, Austin Hoffman and his fiancé Samantha Foshee, Draden and Faith Hoffman, Rikki, Rilee and Kaelyn Slayton; great grandson, Alexander Hoffman; brother, Ron and his wife Sandy Hoffman; sisters and brothers-in-law, Donna Kline, John and Norma Allen, Scott and Vickie Kieffer, and Tim Kieffer; many nieces and nephews.
Tom was preceded in death by his parents and his daughter, Michelle “Shelly” Frerking who passed away on June 21, 2011.
Family and friends are invited to gather from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, March 8, 2016 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home.
Funeral Services will be at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, March 9, 2016 in the Chapel of Keepes Funeral Home with Pastor Allan Wright officiating. Burial will follow at Saint Mary’s Catholic Cemetery with Full Military Honors.
Memorial contributions may be made in Tom’s honor to Celtic Healthcare, Keensburg Christian Church or to Saint Mary’s School Renovation Fund. Envelopes will be at the funeral home or can be mailed to Keepes Funeral Home, 1500 North Cherry Street, Mount Carmel, IL 62863.
Keepes Funeral Home is serving the family with the arrangements. To view Tom’s tribute wall and leave online condolences for the Hoffman family, please visit www.KeepesFuneralHome.com.
To plant a tree in memory of Tommy Joe "Tom" Hoffman, visit the Tribute Store.
Previous Events
Visitation
Tuesday
8
Mar
4:00 PM
- 8:00 PM
Keepes Funeral Home
1500 N. Cherry
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
Funeral Service
Wednesday
9
Mar
10:00 AM
Keepes Funeral Home
1500 N. Cherry
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
Cemetery Details
Location
Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery
Mount Carmel, IL 62863
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