Dwight William Hoffard

Dwight William Ho ard, 83, a lifelong native of Johnston City, left this

life at 10:45pm on March the 16th, 2026 at Memorial Hospital of

Carbondale.

Born on January 5, 1943, he was the son of Link and Naomi (Hunter)

Ho ard. He married Gay Patricia Roberson on May 14, 1969, at his

grandmother's church in Shake Rag, and together they shared almost

57 years of marriage.

Dwight was a graduate of Johnston City Township High School. He

retired after a long career as Director of Building and Grounds

Maintenance with John A. Logan College in Carterville. During his

time there he was one of the founders of the National Hunting and

Fishing Day Celebration at the college, an event still celebrated and

looked forward to today. In younger years he was a master carpenter

who owned and operated the Ho ard Construction Company.

He served Johnston City as an Alderman for over 30 years, was a

32nd Degree Master Mason at Lake Creek Lodge #729, and a

Brotherhood Member of the Order of the Arrow. He was active in

Scouting since boyhood and spent many happy hours working with

Troop 19 in Johnston City, traveling with them to Philmont Scout

Ranch for a mountain backpacking trip in 1986.

He was a consummate sportsman, loved hunting and fishing above

all things other than his family. He was honored as a member of the

Illinois Outdoor Hall of Fame. Starting in the 1980s he taught

thousands of young folks Hunter Education and Firearm Safety

classes as a Master Instructor through the State of Illinois.

He is survived by his wife, Gay Patricia Ho ard, his daughters

Kimberly Holman and Candy Ann Ho ard; his son Destry Link

Ho ard; siblings Norma Ruth Stevens, Estel Ho ard, and Joy Pulley.

He is also survived by his grandchildren, great grandchildren, and

numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents and by his stepson Shayne

Crawshaw.

His memorial service will be Thursday, March 19th at Pyle Funeral Home

in Johnston City with visitation from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. Funeral service will

be at 3:00 p.m. at the funeral home with Pastor Brad Dexter officiating. Masonic Rites

will accorded by Lake Creek Masonic Lodge #729.

Per his explicit instructions, he will be cremated and his ashes scattered by

his family. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Egyptian District,

Greater St. Louis Area Council, Scouting USA in Herrin, Illinois.

He was a gentleman of the old school. We will miss his quiet sense of

humor, his stories, his infinite patience, and most of all his advice and

counsel.

Pyle Funeral Home in Johnston City is entrusted with the arrangements.