Ralph J. Hoffman Jr.

Ralph J. Hoffman Jr.

On Wednesday, October 4, 2017, Ralph answered the "call to duty" from his Commander and Chief, God Almighty. Born August 18, 1930 in Chicago to the late Ralph J. and Marion Hoffman Sr. As a youngster he developed a love of the military while attending Barbour Hall Military Academy at Kalamazoo from 1943-46 where attained the rank of Captain in charge of Company A. He attended St. John's High School in Jackson before enlisting in the United States Navy in 1947. A Yeomen 3rd class aboard the heavy cruiser USS Rochester CA-124 he was on duty in the Arctic Circle, North Atlantic and Mediterranean during his tour before being Honorably Discharged in 1950. Late in that same year he married the former Nancy Joan Van Antwerp during "the blizzard of 1950" on November 25, 1950 at Angola, Indiana. Settling in Jackson they became members of Queen of the Miraculous Medal Parish.

Ralph earned his Associates Degree from Jackson Community College and his Bachelors Degree from Sussex College of Technology. Ralph worked for Pittsburgh Plate Glass & Paint Company before going into business for himself at Mickle Paint & Glass in Homer and Albion. After repairing all the broken windows and painting that needed to be done in Homer and Albion area he moved on the Michigan Department of Corrections for a more stimulating and rewarding occupation. As a Corrections Officer he was once credited with saving the life of an inmate who tried to hang himself. Then, in 1973 he took a position as Executive Director of the Michigan Braille Transcribing (Service) Fund, a position he held until his retirement in 1993. He was most proud of using his vocation to perform corporal works of mercy by providing hope and employable skills to 40 plus inmates who produced Braille books and materials for the visually impaired. Throughout his career he was very civically minded having served with the Clark Lake Players; Scoutmaster of BSA Troop 424 Queen's Parish; Past President of the Jackson Speech & Hearing Clinic; St. Vincent DePaul Society and the Jackson Jaycees before becoming an "exhausted rooster." Working with the blind, he was active with the North Jackson LIONS club and later the Cascades LIONS club. For many years he was a volunteer at Foote Hospital.

After retirement Ralph and Jo stepped up their quest to see the world. Together they managed to travel to all 7 continents and visit over 100 countries.

Ralph is survived by his wife of 66 years N. Joan, three children Philip E. (Dennise), G. Vanessa (Christine) Harman and James Matthew (deceased), four grandchildren, R. Jacob III, Benjamin (Anna), Philip Jr. (Emily) and Emma and three great children, Henry, Felix and Sarah. He also leaves behind many nieces and nephews and cousins.

The family will receive family and friends at Desnoyer Funeral Home on Sunday, October 8, 2017 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm and 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm with a family rosary at 7:00 pm. The family will also receive friends at 10:00 am prior to the Mass of Christian Burial which will take place on Monday, October 9 at 10:30 am at Queen of the Miraculous Medal Catholic Church in Jackson. Father Timothy MacDonald will be the Celebrant at the Mass.

Instead of sending flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Jackson Interfaith Shelter.

Desnoyer Funeral Home
Family owned for 127 years