Date of Death: November 4, 2023
Service Details
The family will receive friends on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Hohner Funeral Home, 1004 Arnold St., Three Rivers, from 10:00 a.m. until time of memorial services at noon with Fr. R. Mathias as celebrant.
Obituary Notice
John Robert Hoffman, 72, of Three Rivers, passed away Saturday, November 4, 2023. John was born in Three Rivers, MI on March 23, 1951 the son of Robert Bruce and Margaret Phyllis (Welty) Hoffman.
John has been a lifetime resident of Three Rivers. John was a graduate from Three Rivers High School with the class of 1969. He attended Glen Oaks Community College and was then awarded an apprenticeship program with a local electrical contractor. John completed his apprenticeship from the I.B.E.W. of Kalamazoo, MI where he earned the Michigan Journeyman’s Electrical License in 1976. In 1979 John received his Master’s Electrical License and became a co-owner of a business (J.C. Electric) in electrical construction.
On April 24, 1981 John was united in marriage to Edna M. Ruggles. John sold his electrical construction business and began work at American Axle formerly Hydramatic where he was employed as a trade electrician until 2006. John then began an electrical consulting business (E.R.A.T.) for residential and industrial services where he was active to this day. He was an avid outdoorsman, enjoyed hunting, and was a supporter of the 2nd Amendment.
John has also been a past member of the Three Rivers Eagles #2303, AFL-CIO Local #819 and #640. Past member I.B.E.W. Local 131 Kalamazoo. Past member A.S.C.M.E. Kalamazoo County. U.A.W. Local 2093 Skilled Trades. John has been a lifetime member of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church and has been a very active member and was the youngest altar boy of the parish.
In his spare time, he enjoyed being with his grandchildren, planting 1,000 walnut trees on his property, and riding his Harley. He loved the old school ways.
John was preceded in death by his parents and brother, Bruce E. Hoffman, in 2011.
John leaves to cherish his loving memory: wife, Edna M. Hoffman of Three Rivers; daughter, Jaquielin P. Hoffman of Vicksburg; sons, Benjamin R. (Jessica) Hoffman of Three Rivers and Matthew R. (Amy) Hoffman of Portage, MI; sister, Marian A. Hoffman of Three Rivers; grandchildren, Beau and Jett Hoffman and Deacan Hoffman; nieces, Amy Viccaro and Carly Mitchell.
Additional Information
Memorial donations in memory of John may be directed to Immaculate Conception School. Envelopes are available at Hohner Funeral Home in care of arrangements.
Please Leave Your Condolences
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Edna I’m shocked and saddened. I saw this name but I guess I never put it together. I can’t believe it still.
John would come on the store a lot we all enjoyed his humor and concern if he hadn’t saw you in awhile.
John worked with my late husband at Axle in the trades. Your son bought Brads truck from him.
I know you’ve been thru so much with your mom and had been staying with her. Last time I spoke with him he was so excited you guys were going out for dinner like a date. Lol. I loved it.
He always spoke so fondly of you. Definitely a man still in love with his wife.
My prayers to you and your family
He was a great guy.
Sincerely Deb (Bowman) Schippers just in case from the bank also. ❤️❤️
RIP JOHN,
I enjoyed working with you and getting to know you when we worked together on the Riverside Church additions and renovation. Never a dull moment!
Lee
John was a great friend, a great work partner, always knew what we needed next on the job. Always sharing stories and jokes. From past experiences. Went to many gun shows worth him, always had fun and shared stories. We always stopped for breakfast or coffee and a donut. We always fought over who would pay the bill. John was honest and had true integrity. He will be truly missed. So sorry for the loss to Edna and the kids!
Deepest condolences to the Hoffman family. I was shocked to hear about John’s passing. I will miss John’s humor, wit and laughter. We always shared our political views with each other to see who could tell the best story. Rest in peace John and I will see to it that my Miller High Life is always kept at 28.6 degrees. I’ll keep a cold one waiting for you.
Loved this awesome man. He was always a bright star at the blue
Box, we had so many laughs together. Rest in peace you beautiful soul.
I worked lots of years with John R. 2nd shift at the big blue box. He loved his family, and his country. An honest man with integrity. A life well lived.
Our sincere condolences to everyone.
We were saddened and shocked, learning of Johns passing. There is a lifetime of memories never to forget. John was Best Man at our wedding 49 yrs ago.
One of many memories was John and two friends purchased a Chris Craft boat together and kept it here in the summer.
John figured it needed an automatic bar so he built one in the dash with perfection.
And with that Chris Craft we would take John tubing behind it. Not leisurely but airborne speed in circles…I can still hear him saying “Bonfoey, you had me airborne”.
We will remember and miss him very much, never forgetting his voice and laughter!! We love you good friend 🙏💔
John, you were absolutely one of my FAVORITE clients, and we will miss you so much!! Your sarcasm and wit always impressed and made me smile, and I always looked forward to hearing your voice on my phone (even if you weren’t calling to sing our praises lol). I’m so thankful we got to take care of you one more time before God called you home, and know you’re looking down at us now, watching over Brian and Mark and keeping them on the up and up and out of trouble! 🙂
Edna, please don’t ever hesitate to reach out to me/us if there’s anything we can do to be of help to you! It would be our honor to take care of John’s “better half” in anyway you will have us! We will keep you and your family and friends in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time.
Craig worked for John as an electrician years and years ago and got to know John from an everyday perspective. John, I always admired and respected you. You were a good teacher and I learned so much from you. Thank you for your friendship and all the laughing you, Smitty and I did as we went from job to job riding in the old JC Electric truck. You will be greatly missed by all who knew you.
Our sincere condolences extend to your entire family as these difficult days pass and the memories of you grow strong. Gone but never forgotten, blessings to you my friend.
Edna, Matt, Amy and the Hoffman family… We are so sorry for your loss . We are praying for you and as you navigate this difficult time, know that you are truly cared about. I know we are far away, but if you need anything we’re as close as a phone call. Much love and prayers.
The Quakes
John R you were alot of fun to work with! We made alot of money on 2nd shift. Drinking coffee and swapping stories. R.I.P
John R you will be missed,you were a legend in trades.we drank alot of coffee out in the powerhouse, and swapped stories. While they paid us. R.i.p
John R. Hoffman, Since 8yrs old a better friend could never be found. From bicycles to Harleys we rode together. The coffee shops, gun shops, electrical jobs, hardware stores, and new years eve meals we enjoyed together, Thanks for the memories. Oh! and thanks for introducing me to my wife. John, You will be missed forever.
The world just lost another good guy
RIP John
I knew John. I am sorry and saddened by this news. I hope best for Edna and Marian. Tom
John,
You are a legend that I always heard about from either my brother or friends. Later on I met you, I always enjoyed talking with you and was taken by all your knowledge and experience, you like to share.
Thank you for being who you are and a good friend.
I appreciate you showing up when I couldn’t grasp or just verifying that I wired it up correctly. Thanks John
John, you will be sadly missed by Randy and I. We have been lifelong friends and could share hundreds of stories about each other (all good, of course!) of life through the years: From fun times at school, football, tennis, cars, and a million other things. Life is never long enough. Just know that we have always cherished your friendship. We will have a huge hole in our hearts for you. Love forever and ever. Randy and Ann Scott
John was a good man and electrician. I’ll always remember him with his cigar. Condolences to his family and friends
Will miss hearing John’s stories and seeing his “show and tell” of treasures he had aquired.
When I moved to Mishawaka I didn’t see John R. often like when we worked together at Axle. But I could always stop and hear him say, “Are you alright Luke!” He was a good man and co worker. I know he will be missed by all. Will be praying for the family.
John you will forever be missed. I will miss your story’s your knowledge. You were not only our customer but part of our family. My car will always have the name angry bird in your memory (since you named it that). Your wild bills family will miss seeing you. May you rest in peace
Edna, I’m so sorry to hear of John’s passing. I didn’t know him very well but the few times he and I talked it was real pleasant and enjoyable. Sending prayers to you, your children and your entire family for strength and comfort.