John Jacob Hoff

John Jacob Hoff, 96, loving husband and father, farmer and devout Catholic, died peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, 2025, at his home in Boonville, Missouri.
Visitation will be held from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Howard Funeral Home with the Rosary being recited at 5:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 30, 2025, at S. S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church. Interment will follow at S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Cemetery.
John was born at St. Joseph Hospital in Boonville, on May 4, 1928. The son of George and Lula Hoff, John filled his years with nearly a century of good times, meaningful memories and service to his family and community.
A lifelong member of S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, John graduated from S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic High School in 1946. He became a proud Mule, graduating from Central Missouri State College in Warrensburg in 1950 with a B.S. in Education, majoring in industrial arts. While at CMSC he was a member of the Phi Sigma Epsilon fraternity.
He served in the Missouri National Guard and the United States Air Force. John taught industrial arts at both Lincoln High School and University City Senior High School. He also worked as a draftsman at Remington Arms Corporation in Kansas City and McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis.
One of John's proudest accomplishments was earning the rank of Eagle Scout. With John's encouragement, his three sons and four grandsons achieved their Eagle Scout rank.
On December 27, 1958, John married Ruth Marie Hartmann at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Kirkwood, Missouri, and the two made their home in Boonville. They just celebrated their 66th wedding anniversary in December. Utilizing his industrial arts degree, John designed their first family home and when their family grew, he built their present home.
Upon returning to Boonville, John joined his father on the family farm with his wife, Ruth by his side. He was dedicated to the farming profession until his final days, riding the combine with his sons, Eddie and David during harvest last year.
John was the first farmer to introduce no-till farming in Cooper County and later taught classes at the Boonslick Area Vocational Technical School about the innovative approach. He served as president of the Cooper County Extension Council, was a 60-year member and served on the board of the Missouri Seed Improvement Association. In 1999, he received the Premier Seed Grower Award from the Missouri Seed Improvement Association. He was a member of the advisory council for the Missouri Agricultural Liming Material Act and a member of the Governor's Task Force on Soil Conservation. John received the Goodyear Conservation Award for outstanding accomplishment in resource conservation.
A lifelong member of S.S. Peter & Paul Catholic Church, John served his church in many capacities beginning as an altar boy in grade school and as the first president of the S.S. Peter & Paul School Board.
One of John's greatest joys was spending time at the Lake of the Ozarks with his family and traveling with Ruth all over the United States and the Caribbean.
John's life was rich with purpose, joy and precision. He will be remembered for both his passion for farming and the love of his family and community.
He is survived by his wife Ruth, of Boonville, daughter Barbara Wilson and husband Bruce, of Mexico, Missouri, son John Jr., and wife Trish, of Greenwood, Missouri, son Eddie and wife Lisa of Boonville, and son David of Boonville.
John also leaves a family legacy that includes seven grandchildren: Allison Tait (Matt), Matthew Wilson (Emily), Nathan Hoff, Kristin Camden (Ryan), Rebecca Hoff, Eric Hoff, and Daniel Hoff, as well as five great-grandchildren: Kate Buffington and Molly Tait, and Caroline, Isabel and Miles Wilson.
Memorials can be made to the S.S. Peter & Paul Educational Foundation.
Arrangements are under the direction of Howard Funeral Home, 1397 Ashley Rd., Boonville, Mo 65233 (660) 882-3381. Condolences may be shared with the family at www.Howardfuneralhome.com
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