Ray E. Hoffman

Ray E. Hoffman, age 101, of Numidia, and lifelong resident of Roaring Creek Valley, left us peacefully on Friday, January 12, 2018.
 
Ray was born to the late Jacob Henry and Estelle Edith (Long) Hoffman on the family homestead in Millgrove on May 24, 1916, where he would spend the first half of his life.  Ray graduated from Locust High School as Class President in 1935.  He married his classmate Nina (Knorr) Hoffman in 1936 and the two spent the next 71 years together until Nina’s passing in 2007.
 
In 1936, Ray and his brother Earl took full responsibility for the family farm, following the untimely death of their father.  The brothers ran the farm together for 15 years then continued to operate farms on either side of Turkey Farm Road.  Ray’s work focused on dairy and produce, ultimately transforming the operation into a hatchery before leaving farming in 1969.  He remained in agriculture for the rest of his career, working at Agway and Hanover Foods summers until he retired full-time in 1978.
 
Ray’s life was dedicated to family and community.  He is survived by three children and their spouses: Penelope (Richard) Warters, of Pinehurst, NC, Ray “Skip” (Patricia) Hoffman, Jr., of Millgrove, and Connie (James) Binns, of Phoenix, AZ.  Ray was a deacon and elder of Grace United Church of Christ in Millgrove and a founding member of the Roaring Creek Valley Grange.  He served as Southern Area School Authority treasurer, Roaring Creek Township tax assessor, and director of the Columbia County Extension Service.
 
For three decades, Ray and Nina wintered in Bradenton, FL, where he entertained friends in Citrus Grove Estates with his humor, shuffleboard and donut-making skills. 
 
In addition to his children, Ray is survived by seven grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
 
Along with his parents and his wife, Ray was predeceased by his brother Earl E. Hoffman and sister Elsie E. Hoffman Wagner.
 
Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, at Grace United Church of Christ in Millgrove with Pastor David Adams officiating and Rev. Edmund Minnich assisting.  Burial will follow at Grace United Church of Christ Cemetery. There will also be a celebration of his life at a lunch near Ray’s birthday in the spring announced at a later date.
 
Family and friends may send online condolences to allenrhornefuneralhome.com. The Allen R. Horne Funeral Home and Cremation Services, 193 McIntyre Road, Catawissa is handling arrangements.
 

 Service Information