This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: WHL44 Surnames: HOFFMAN, HAZEL, CHALKER, ALKEMA, CARR, NORTH, SMITH, EAST, ASHTON, LOUIS Classification: obituary Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.michigan.counties.kalamazoo/25684/mb.ashx Message Board Post: HOFFMAN, Evelyn C. "Evie" Age 78 Of Richland, MI Died unexpectedly Wednesday morning, January 6, 2010, at Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo, MI. Evie was born on June 28, 1931 in Kalamazoo and she was a lifetime resident of the Richland area. She was the daughter of Ernest W. and Bernice L. (Hazel) Chalker. Evie was an Off-Ice Official for the Kalamazoo Wings Hockey Team; was a member of the Richland Order of Eastern Star; the Red Hat Club and had been a Gull Lake school bus driver. She was a mainstay at the Richland's 4th of July Parade, by organizing and playing on the Richland Fire Department Dixieland Band Float since 1972, which is the longest and most continuous entry for the Parade. Her true passions in life were music, especially the banjo and piano, Gull Lake and most of all, her family and friends. In 1947, in Kalamazoo, Evie was united in marriage to Earl C. Hoffman, who preceded her in death on June 1, 2004. Surviving are her two sons, Richard C. "Rick" (Linda) Hoffman and Russell E. "Russ" Hoffman, both of Ric! hland; her two daughters, Sheryl K. Hoffman of Richland and Susan L. (Robert) Alkema of Hickory Corners, MI; nine grandchildren, Mindi Carr, Marci Hoffman, Terri Hoffman, Christi (David) North, Joni Hoffman, Gregory (Andrea) Alkema, Melissa (Trevor) Smith, Rob (fiance', Kelsey Brownell) Alkema and Meghan Alkema; eleven great-grandchildren; her sister, Marilyn (Walt) East of Richland and her brother, Bill (Lil) Chalker of Summerfield, FL. Evie was preceded in death by her parents; her two sisters, Dorothy Ashton aand Virginia Louis; her son, Ronald E. Hoffman in October, 1952 and her daughter-in-law, Debbie L. (Longfield) Hoffman in September, 2009. The funeral service to celebrate Evie's life will be held on Saturday, January 9th at 1:00 PM at the Gull Lake Area Community Church, 9292 East CD Avenue, Richland, 49083, with the Rev. Jan David DeWitt, Pastor of the New Hope Church of Richland, officiating. Friends may call on Saturday at the Church from 11:00 AM until service ! time. Interment will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery, Richland. A time of fellowship and an "Open Jam Session" will immediately follow the interment at the The Stagecoach (Blackhawk Restaurant), 8940 N. 32nd Street, Richland, from 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM. Memorial contributions in Evie's honor may be directed to the family or charity of their choice. The FARLEY-ESTES & DOWDLE FUNERAL HOME Richland Chapel 269-629-6022 is in charge of all the arrangements. Personal messages for the family may be directed to www.farleyestesdowdle.com Published in Kalamazoo Gazette on January 8, 2010 (Posted by a VOLUNTEER-NO family connection) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.