Gilbert Eugene Hoffman, known to most as Gib, of St. Clair, MO, departed this life at his home, surrounded by the love of his family, on April 18, 2017, having reached the age of eighty-five years, one month and four days. Gib was born in Lonedell, MO, on March 14, 1932, son of Oscar Charles Hoffman and Nora Laverne Hoffman nee McDermott. On August 26, 1967, he was united in marriage to Norma Jean Brandt and one daughter came to bless this union.
Gib is survived by his daughter, Holly Hoffman of Celebration, FL; by one brother, Howard Hoffman and wife, Linda, of St. Clair, MO; by one sister, Ruth Ann Schaffart of Kewadin, MI; by his sibling-in-laws, Peggy Hoffman of St. Clair, Robert Brandt, Marge Phelan and Ruth Miner and husband, Carroll, all of Pacific, MO and Rosemary Howard of Chandler, AZ; by many nieces, nephews, great and great-great-nieces and nephews, cousins and many friends.
Gib was preceded in death by his parents, Oscar and Nora Hoffman; by his wife, Norma Jean Hoffman; by three brothers, Ronald, Leroy and Larry Hoffman, and by one sister, Marge Hoffman.
Gib was a lifelong active member of the St. Clare Catholic Church in St. Clair and also a member of the Knights of Columbus, Bishop Leo John Steck Council 4867 of St. Clair. After graduating from St. Clair High School, Gib proudly served his country as a Corporal in the United States Army during the Korean War, entering September 23, 1952 and receiving his honorable discharge on September 22, 1954. After returning home from the military, Gib and his brother, Leroy started their own business, Hoffman’s Service Station, later becoming Hoffman’s Service and Towing, which he owned and operated until 2008. He had also worked at Ford Motor Company for about ten years. In 1960 he began his career as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service and carried mail until he retired in 1992.
To say that Gib was a civic minded man is an understatement. Gib spent his life volunteering his time to work for the betterment of the community in which he lived. He served on the St. Clair R-XIII School District Board of Education for thirty-nine years and was President from 1995-2007. He was a pilot and member of the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association and put forth a tremendous amount of the effort to help develop the St. Clair Airport. He has compiled an admirable list of service to the community through his affiliation with the American Legion Post 347, the Lions Club, the St. Clair Fire Protection District and served on the board as a member and President of the Greater St. Clair Homes, Inc. He was honored to have received the St. Clair Area Chamber of Commerce’s Distinguished Service Award in 2000, and it’s Citizen of the Year Award in 2004. In 2017, he was recognized with the Friend of Education Award by the Missouri Association of School Administrators. He has been blessed with the love and admiration of a wonderful family who have cherished and respected him. He was the happiest when he was spending time with Holly and his entire family. He enjoyed the fellowship of his many friends and spending time at his lake house.
Visitation was held from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, April 21, 2017, at Russell Colonial Funeral Home in St. Clair, MO, with parish prayer services at 8 p.m. led by Father Eric Kunz. Funeral mass was held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, April 22, 2017, at the St. Clare Catholic Church in St. Clair, MO, with Father Bob Knight officiating. Interment with full military honors was held in Crestview Memorial Park, St. Clair, MO. Masses or memorials to the family to be used for pancreatic cancer research may be made.