Dear Tom Hoffman and Family,  my deepest sympathy
and prayers for the loss of Jan.   Her fun loving caring personality life sounds lovely.  

Sincerely, Charlene Kovanda

Growing up Jan and I, being first cousins were so close.  I have so many dear memories of being together.  Marble races in the living room, starting her bedroom curtains on fire at Thanksgiving, playing "Say When" and eating her Dad's homemade pickles and, yes, even being stuck together at my house during the 67' snow storm.  With her parents as my Godparents we spent many holidays together and the memories are countless.  The laughs and tears spent together I will never forget.  She was even one of my bridesmaids.  I will miss you with all my heart.  So much love from your friend and cousin,
Joni

Kaitlyn, Tommy and Jan at Jen’s wedding

3 of 3
Jan’s favorite holiday was Christmas. When there was a special happening in any given year, you could expect a personalized Christmas tree ornament to mark the occasion. They were special when we received them, and they are even more special now. She drove to Florida every year for Christmas after we moved there.
Jan and I talked often on the phone, especially since Linda passed away in 2021. But as much as we talked, we texted even more in between calls. I’m sure every one of those text messages is still on my phone. And while I’ll never forget the sound of her voice, I will have her words with me to read over and over until it’s my turn to move on.
Until then, I will miss her terribly. Every day.
ONE MORE THING:
I was up a bit late writing that last night, and about 15 seconds after I woke this morning it dawned on me that I neglected to talk about Jan's most important act of love - watching over and caring for my parents in their final years of poor health and disabilities.
My mom was never in very good health for as far back as I can remember, with one ailment or another. Pretty much everything from crippling rheumatoid arthritis to macular degeneration and the loss of most of her sight. At 40, she had a devastating stroke that took her speech and use of the right side of her body from her for many months. Thank God she had married a man who never took the vow of "in sickness and in health" more seriously than my dad did.
Many years later, when he was told he had but a few months to live due to a brain tumor, his first concern was making sure my mother would be taken care of after he was gone. He knew she would be, but I know it was important to him that he drive home to us that this was his most important concern. Jan lived at home with them, and I was less than 2 blocks away. My mom was able to stay in her house after my dad passed away in 1990 until 2 days before she died. This would not have been possible except for Jan.

She loved receiving gifts, too (as we all do). She was fiercely loyal to her sports teams: the Chicago White Sox and the Miami Dolphins. She loved animals, especially the majestic bald eagles and Clydesdale horses. Give her anything, anything, that reflected those loyalties, and you couldn’t make her happier. For proof of that, just look at the photos on this page.
She held the highest respect for the American military—active and veteran. When our nephew Rick enlisted in the Army and served in Iraq, she (we) couldn’t have been prouder of him. Her favorite saying became, “Home of the Free Because of the Brave.”
The road trips she took with Jen and Missy were epic. The three of them had an annual pilgrimage to the Wisconsin State Fair for many years, where the first stop every year was at the Bud Light Pavilion. And boy, did they love sending me photos of them eating those giant Wisconsin cream puffs, knowing my mouth was watering with envy.
Jan and Missy were the biggest Miami Dolphins football fans north of Florida. Over the years, they made a few trips to Miami to take in a game and enjoy the beautiful weather. And though both were native Hoosiers, they hated Peyton Manning. I think that was because they always feared he might overtake their idolized Dan Marino in some useless statistic or another. I never passed up a chance to send them humorous Manning video clips, to which I would receive angry emojis in return.
Jan and Tom Jr. had their tradition as well—the Indy 500. They made their way down there every year for quite a few years together, leaving Dyer way before dawn to meet up with a group of friends who had scoped out a small parking lot not far from the Speedway. There, they could all gather and—ugh—drink beer as the sun came up.

And then there was one… Never did I think it would be me. You just don’t when you are the oldest of three siblings. But this is not about me. This is about my dearly loved brother and sister.
I lost my brother Rick at the very young age of 34 in 1987.
A little over a week ago, on March 31, suddenly and unexpectedly, my sister Janice (Jan) passed away at the much-too-early age of 68. We were each other’s last connection to our household of five as it was when we grew up in the then tiny town of Dyer.
Jan never married or had children—that is, until (in order of birth) her two nephews, Rick and Tom, and two nieces, Jen and Missy, were born. From day one, she loved them and cared for them as if they were her own. And from day one, the love flowed both ways and continued through to their children.
Jan was never just about Jan. Everyone else came first, especially her family. Going on vacation? Don’t even think about paying for a limo or parking garage fees. She’d take you to and from the airport no matter what time of day or night your flights were. What better way was there for her to learn all about our trips than an hour-long drive home from Chicago as we told her all about them? If the airport was Midway, a stop at the best Giordano’s restaurant in Chicago was mandatory.
She loved to give gifts. Within the family, she always pushed us to give her lists of things we wanted. It wasn’t because she wanted an easy way to shop for us; it was so she could figure out something to give us that wasn’t on the list. But it had to be something that would have personal meaning for us. She loved to see the reaction of delighted surprise.
There was always a card in the mail on or before every birthday, anniversary, graduation, or other special day of note. Even before the days of cell phones, she would figure out a way to call me on my birthday no matter where I—or she—might be.
(see next note)

Jan you are one of the special ones. During my time with Dyer you were always there for others. I will always remember your love for family, friends and the Miami Dolphins.  The support you gave us and willingness to help was second to none. Everyone that had the privilege of knowing you have been blessed.

Our trip to Las Vegas was a blast. Seeing The Sphere was on her bucket list.

Jan was a fan of many things. But her number one loyalty was to her family and friends. She was so proud of all of her nieces and nephews. She would do anything for those she loved. Her support during the difficult times in my life was a true blessing. I can't wrap my head around life without her. May God grant her eternal rest.

Jan was a member of one ofDyer’s beautiful, historical families.  Many remember Hoffmans IGA.  As a Town of Dyer emploee, Jan had a connection to many residents. We all loved her! Thank you for being an important part of Dyer.

You insisted I keep this one of Jesus, because you bought it for your mom, and wanted to make sure I had it. I will treasure it always as I will all the times I had the chance to visit your mom. Those visits with her and you will forever remain in my heart.

These three are the ones that needed repair. They are all so beautiful.

I couldn’t believe how many statues your mother had collected over the years! These three we picked out for special friends, who wanted them in memory of your wonderful mom.

The cats just loved you, especially George Joseph!

Remembering the afternoon you dropped off your mom’s religious statues, getting them ready to donate to St James  Church. We had so much fun reminiscing about your mom, family, Dyer PD, mutual friends, future plans in retirement. My cats just loved you too! I will miss you, my dear friend, see you again one day, in heaven.

Jan was my 2nd cousin, she was such a special person.  Jan never failed to send me a Clydesdale Xmas card and although I’m sure that’s what everyone received, I felt it was special for me because I adore horses as much as she did.  I SO looked forward to her annual pictures from her Clydesdale trips!  Jan was such a thoughtful person, she knew how much I love Led Zeppelin and sent me a wonderful memory tribute catalog about them for my birthday.  We didn’t share the same for baseball 😆 and she never failed give me a little bit of a hard time about my beloved Cubs. That’s what life is for, to enjoy our differences and live life to the fullest. Jan never failed to enjoy life, I envy that. I promise you Jan, I will never fail to remember all the special memories we shared, I thank God for family and I will miss you so much.  This was so unexpected and devastating for all of us, may God watch over our family, keep us safe and let Jan do what she wants up there, she’ll make heaven SO much more fun❤️

My condolences to Jan's family. I have great memories of going to the Clydesdale farm with her and Bernadette.
She will be missed.

OBITUARY

Janice Mary Hoffman

August 3, 1956 – March 31, 2025

Kuiper Funeral Home

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