Ron was born November 10, 1935 in Evansville, Indiana to John and Elsie Hackett Hoffman. He graduated from Evansville Central High School in 1953. He earned a Bachelor’s degree from Concordia River Forest in 1959 and completed a Master’s degree from Indiana University in 1968. His teaching career began in 1959 at Saint Peter’s Lutheran School in Columbus, Indiana. He went on to teach at Booth Setser, McKinley, Jefferson, and Schmitt Elementary Schools in Columbus, Indiana. He was active in the Columbus Educators Association and served on the board of directors for Bar-Cons Credit Union.
Columbus was home until he and his wife, Sharon moved to Mount Pleasant, South Carolina to be near Ron’s daughter, son-in-law, and younger grandsons — all of whose ongoing attention and affection was a touchstone in his lifetime. Spending time with his children and grandsons was his greatest joy. Attending their school programs, sporting events, taking them to movies, and going on outings with them was a highlight of his life.
Ron took great comfort from his faith. He attended All Saints Lutheran Church in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina. He was a long-time member of Saint Peter’s Lutheran Church in Columbus, Indiana singing in the choir and serving on committees.
His secondary faith was in his beloved Indiana Hoosiers Basketball where he could be found cheering them on for every game. A basketball enthusiast, he coached youth basketball at Saint Peter’s and Booth Setser Schools. During the off-season, Ron was an avid traveler who frequented National Parks and Florida’s beaches. He also explored Alaska, Hawaii, Europe, and the Philippines. It was his love of travel and the IU Hoosiers that, after years of friendship founded on a shared passion for education, united him with his wife, Sharon. Her companionship and doting care warmed his last years.
Ron was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Joann Nierman Hoffman; sisters Mary
Taylor and Beverly Grant; and brother, Charles Hoffman.
He is survived by his wife, Sharon Owens Hoffman; daughter, Julie (Antonio) Hernandez of Charleston, South Carolina; son, Jeff Hoffman of Plainfield, Indiana; grandsons, Dalton Hoffman of Seymour, Indiana; Bradon Hoffman of New Albany, Indiana; Alexander and Benjamine Hernandez of Charleston, South Carolina; and several nieces and nephews.
A funeral service in Celebration of Ron’s life will be held Wednesday, September 7 at 11 a.m. at Myers-Reed Chapel 3729 25th street Columbus, Indiana with Pastor Mark Teike officiating. Burial will follow at Garland Brook Cemetery. The family will be hosting visitation Tuesday, September 6 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the funeral home with an additional visitation one hour prior to the service on Wednesday.
In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to MUSC Hospice at Home by Bayada, 1671 Belle Isle Avenue, Suite 115C, Mount Pleasant, South Carolina 29464 or Saint Peter’s Lutheran School, 719 5th Street, Columbus, Indiana 47201.
Ron will be missed by his friends and family for his quiet strength, subtle/dry wit and dignity.
To share a fond memory or Ron or leave a condolence for the family, visit www.Myers-Reed.com.
Myers-Reed is assisting the Hoffman family.
