Charles A. Hoffman

June 6, 2025, on the feast of St Norbert, Charles A. Hoffman passed away peacefully into eternity surrounded by his wife and children. Like the saint, he lived by principles that were the foundation of his family. Born on February 22, 1943, Charles was the second born of Edmund and Phyllis (Kyser) Hoffman. His mind and spirit were nurtured on their rural farm in Lincoln Township, Isabella County, and it was here he built the foundation of a lifelong love of the outdoors and dedication to work and family. Upon their first meeting, Charles asked Mary A. Salisbury to dance and she said yes. They married on October 22, 1966, and were married for almost 60 years, being blessed with three children. With skills learned in the Army Reserves and on the job training from Automatic Electric in Marion, Illinois, he carved out a career in telecommunications with a single employer, a testament to his loyalty and trustworthiness. Over 30 years later he retired from (then) Verizon where he could do, and did, just about anything. Charles was not only dedicated to his faith and following Christ, but he also fostered a quiet intellectual life. Whether it was economics, technology, auto mechanics, or the science of rotational cattle grazing, he read extensively. His lifelong love of the farm was renewed following his retirement, when he raised several cattle breeds, culminating in his favorite, Scottish Highlands. He embraced challenges that required problem solving and coming up with strategies outside the box. Charles was steadfast and unwavering to all who knew him. He will be dearly missed. Charles was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Catherine Birkel (Bellwood, NE); and sister-in-law, Arlene Hoffman. Left to carry on his legacy are his wife, Mary; children: Ryan Hoffman of Shepherd, Brandon (Dawn) Hoffman of Traverse City, and Barbara (Michael) Monahan of Mt. Pleasant; grandchildren, Ella Hoffman; Lily (William) Beers, Abigail Monahan, Andrew Monahan, Patrick Monahan, Joseph Monahan, Bethany Monahan; great-grandson, Beckett Beers. siblings, Duane (Janet) Hoffman of Gaylord, Mary (Douglas) Headlee of Draper, UT, and Bernard (Jan) Hoffman of Lake Isabella; and brother-in-law, Donald (Diane) Birkel of Bellwood, NE. A Funeral Mass for Charles will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 11, at St Mary's University Parish in Mt Pleasant. Fr Thomas Held will preside. Rite of Committal will be at St. Vincent de Paul Cemetery in Shepherd following the mass. A luncheon will follow at the Shepherd Bar in the Maple Room. The family will receive friends at Charles R. Lux Family Funeral Home on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. with a Rosary beginning at 7 p.m. Visitation continues at the church on Wednesday one hour before Mass. Memorial contributions may be made to the FOCUS student activity fund at St. Mary's or the Russell Kirk Center for Cultural Renewal.