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Jacob Hoffman Obituary
The Reverend Doctor Jacob Hoffman, 80, went to be with our Savior on November 18, 2017. A Lutheran pastor in Lafayette for over 45 years, he was born in Jasper IN on October 21, 1937 the younger of identical twins. Raised on a farm in Dubois County, he was a 4-H participant raising hogs and cattle when not helping out with chores, playing high school tuba with his twin Bill or singing in the church choir. It was farming that brought him to Purdue to study agriculture. It was singing in the church choir where he met the love of his life, Helen Francis. They were married on June 5th, 1960 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Lafayette.
It was while at Purdue he felt called to the seminary and attended Trinity Lutheran in Columbus OH until his ordination on June 23, 1963. He served a word and sacrament based ministry in parishes in Carthage/Augusta IL, Oak Lawn IL returning to Holy Trinity in Lafayette from 1971 - 2002. He received his Doctorate from Christian Theological Seminary in June of 1980. He was called as Pastor Emeritus at Holy Trinity in 2009 and preached his final sermon there on October 22, 2017 in celebration of the 500th Anniversary of Martin Luther's Reformation, a day after turning 80.
Active in the community, his interests were always to serve and help people. A lifelong ministry to care for the human condition, he focused on local needs. He was an active member of the Indiana/Kentucky Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, a member of the Lafayette Leadership Academy, a long-ago member of the Lafayette Salvation Army Board - he was until recently an annual Bell Ringer at Christmas. In 1987, he was the first Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) in Tippecanoe County - his focus on children. He was also the Chaplain of the Lafayette Fire Department for many years after his retirement, a proud brother in Delta Sigma Phi Fraternity at Purdue, and felt the call to serve as the Community Spiritual Director of the Great Banquet in Lafayette. As past president of the Lafayette Kiwanis, he enjoyed giving Happy Dollars to share his grandchildren's successes.
He enjoyed family greatly, reading a wide variety of topics, and good Bourbon. He learned to enjoy travel as he and Helen explored Europe, the Holy Land, and other international destinations together. And he was challenged by golf, hitting a hole in one on Ackerman #6 on August 21, 1977 witness by his son Doug. He played his final round in the fall of 2016 with his grandson, Michael.
He is survived by his loving wife of 57 years Helen (Francis), his children Patricia (John) Murakami of Chicago and Douglas (Michelle) Hoffman of Bloomington IN, four lovely granddaughters, Rachel, Sarah and Sophia Hoffman, Hanna Murakami and his "favorite grandson" Michael Murakami. His siblings are William (Jean) Hoffman, Daniel (Erlene) Hoffman, Helen (Robert) Shearer, all of Jasper IN and Timothy (Katharine) Hoffman of VA, sister-in-law Sharon (Lester) Francis of Pine Village as well as 11 nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Alfred and Marie Hoffman, his in-laws Lester and Dorothy Francis Sr, his brother-in-law Lester Francis Jr and his youngest child, Jeffrey Alan Hoffman.
Know that Jacob died in the sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal live through our Lord Jesus Christ. He is now free of the pain that cancer had brought him.
Visitation will be from 4:00 pm to 9:00 pm Tuesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 1005 N 21st Street, Lafayette. Visitation will be from 10:00 AM until the time of the service at 11:00 am on Wednesday at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Bishop William Gafkjen will be preaching and Pastor David Doane will be presiding. Interment will be on Friday at St. John Cemetery in Otwell, IN. In Lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Lutheran Urban Ministry of Greater Lafayette (LUM), WBAA or the Kiwanis Scholarship Fund. Soller-Baker Funeral Home, Lafayette Chapel in charge of arrangements. You may sign the guest book and leave memories at www.soller-baker.com.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Jacob Hoffman
Sponsored by Soller-Baker Funeral Homes, Inc. – Lafayette Chapel.
Stuart Robertson
November 13, 2020
As I near Jacob's age when he died, I am glad for all the good images he evokes in my mind. A kindly colleague in the ministry whose ministry I enjoyed on my Sunday's off, and who sat in my sanctuary several times when he was off, we had a common outlook on life, on our faith, and on our ministry. His legacy has seeped into the lives those that knew him, and I am glad to be included in that number. He was a very dear, good, and holy man.
December 7, 2017
Helen and family,
I'm very sorry for your loss. I remember Jack as a servant leader, role model, and great companion on the golf course. Peace and strength to all of you.
Steven Schwier
Terry Howell
December 6, 2017
Dear Helen, Patti, Doug & the Hoffman families may You have peace & comfort knowing he is with our Dear Lord now. Pastor Jack was my confirmation Pastor. When my Dad was suddenly killed he was there for me at a very difficult time in my life. He was always positive, inspirational and always had time to listen to me. He was a great preacher and a wonderful friend. God is very lucky to have him by his side. Wishing you comfort & peace. With Love & Prayers & sending you hugs Terry Howell from Our Saviors Lutheran Church.
John Pracht
November 22, 2017
To the entire Hoffman family - I would like to offer my condolences in your time of sorrow. Thinking of you all in these difficult times.
Stuart Robertson
November 22, 2017
Pastor Hoffman was a dear friend and fellow pastor, a man I respected for many reasons. His virtues were accentuated by his kindly humor. As faith may be evident in a person's ways, it was certainly so with him. I'm privileged to have known him. stuart robertson
Luther Weisman
November 21, 2017
I remember the afternoon that Jack and Bill were born. My Mom went to help...if there was anything that needed doing. Their Dad was a first cousin of mine. I enjoyed hearing Jack preach when in our area. He will be missed.
Mike Hufford
November 21, 2017
Prayers for the Hoffman family. Jack was my room mate during my Lafayette Great Banquet weekend 15 years ago when he was the community director. We have lost a wonderful friend and remarkable brother in Christ. Heaven has gained a great comedian! Jack was an expert at communicating Gods word with a word of humor. I miss him already. Grace and Peace brother.
November 21, 2017
Prayers, hugs & condolences from RuthAnn, Kiki & Lars
Ed & Sheila Rudolph
November 21, 2017
Dear Helen & family,
May the lord give you strength during this time. Know that our thoughts and prayers are with you.
Jack will be missed here, however we know without a doubt he is with the Savior of the world, JESUS!
Brent Woods
November 20, 2017
Dear Helen and family,
Thinking many warm thoughts of Jack at this time and want you to know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. He was a wonderful man and we are all fortunate to have had our lives interwoven with his.
Brent, Theresa, Jason & Justin Woods
Linda Jeffries
November 20, 2017
Dear Helen and family: some of my sweetest memories when I worked at a local church were the wonderful conversations I had with Jack. His kindness and loving nature will always be remembered. I send much love and many hugs to you. God bless you all. Linda Jeffries
Georgeanna Rauch
November 20, 2017
Thinking of you during this difficult time. I am very thankful that he was my pastor. I didn't have a church "home" and the first time I visited I knew I wanted to make Holy Trinity my new one because of him.
Pamela Thiede
November 20, 2017
I remember Jack as a friendly, encouraging colleague while I served in the Lafayette Conference and always received a warm greeting whenever I ran into him since. Rest eternal grant him, O Lord. May the Holy Spirit bring comfort and peace to his family and friends
Rev. Michael Vinson
November 20, 2017
On behalf of Purdue Lutheran Ministry, rest well good and faithful servant. May God's grace and loving care be with your family in this time of mourning.
November 20, 2017
In the late 1980's, while I was Associate Pastor at St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Center at Purdue, Jack invited me to be part of an interfaith clergy support group which included a Catholic (me), a Pentecostal (Rev. Raymond Parnell) and every denomination in between. This was a great grace for me and I stand in line with all of those who appreciated the ministry and friendship of Pastor Jacob Hoffman.
Father Tom Metzger
Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, Noblesville
Lemoyne Senesac
November 20, 2017
Helen sorry for your loss,sympathy to the family.
Rev. Cindy Geisen
November 20, 2017
I so appreciated serving on the Candidacy Committee with Jack for several years. He was a good man.
My thoughts and prayers are with your family.
Mark Branz
November 19, 2017
Pr. Jacob was instrumental in Saving (literally) Attica First Lutheran, his guidance brought us to believing in a full time pastor. His presence left me with a feeling of peace, whether bumping into him at the golf course or a Purdue football game. I will always remember his calm assurance as he shared worship with us. God's peace Pr. Jacob.
November 19, 2017
Helen Hoffman, Pat, Doug, and all the Hoffman families, you have our sincere sympathy. My work hours prevent me and Helen from attending the funeral. You are all in our thoughts and prayers for His healing peace and comfort.
Laverne Glick, Lafayette, IN
Richard Basham
November 19, 2017
Thanks to the Hoffman family for sharing Jack with the LFD. He was a great Chaplain and comforted many on the LFD when needed. He will be missed.
Retired Lt. Richard Basham
LFD
Jayne Flynn
November 19, 2017
Prayers for his family.
Janet Wang
November 19, 2017
Pastor loved to tell jokes and stories with a smirkish grin. He was a wonderful person and a man always serving the lord,
Raymie Richards
November 18, 2017
Truly a blessing to many in the community. I loved the days of golfing with he and John on Ackerman. Many laughs and memories and will always remember his smile.
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