Joan A. Hoffman

Joan A. Hoffman, 76, of Middletown, died Sunday, December 7, 2014, at Carlisle Manor Nursing Home. She was born in Hamilton, Ohio on March 21, 1938 to parents William and Adair (Myers) Hixon. You might say she had the spirit of a child, and the soul of a mother.

A friend arranged a blind date between she and Joseph Hoffman and — as they say —the rest is history. Though they came from different worlds (he was a Catholic, and she wasn't), the two had a lot in common. They were both the eldest in their family. They both grew up in small towns. They were both children of the 1950's. Asked once how he knew he'd met his future wife, Joseph said, "I just knew."

The pair moved to Middletown. Joseph went to work for Armco Steel. Joan stayed home to raise a family of five. When Joseph became Scoutmaster to Troop 20, Joan's "tribe" grew, too. The Hoffman home often hosted budding scouts, and Joan could be spotted buying merit badges and other troop supplies. Eventually, Joan became den mother to a group of Cub Scouts. One of her den's more memorable skits featured a cardboard time machine. The skit ended with a scout in the machine, announcing, "Seeing you folks sure makes me happy —'cause I'm your great-great- great-grandpappy!"

Joan's love of family extended beyond her home's four walls. She was confidante to her sister-in- law, make-up artist for the childrens' Halloween costumes, chef for the family camping trips, and eventually, a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother. She loved trips to Hueston Woods, Elvis Presley, counting stars, and spoiling her grandchildren (and great-grandchildren). She was known by "Granny" to the eldest, and "Humma" to the younger ones. She often said she hated to see September come, because that meant her children would go back to school.

As her children aged, her interest in scouting matured, too. She attended Wood Badge, a training course on the skills and methods of scouting. She grew to love the outdoors, and she, Joseph and friends often camped at Cowan Lake, and Stone Lick Lake State Park. After Joseph died, she took a trip to Alaska, where she, her brother, and his wife toured attractions including a gold mining town.

She remained a caregiver, even after her children were grown. She and daughter Melissa Liput (whose husband was deployed to the Middle East) founded and ran "Operation Child Comfort", which provided clothing, blankets and other necessities to needy children in that part of the world. She was also a past member of Catholic Ladies of Columbia, a former poll worker for Butler County Board of Elections, and a member of Holy Family Parish.

She is preceded in death by her husband, Joseph; a son, Christopher Hoffman; her mother, Adair Tobergte, and stepfather, Arthur Tobergte; a brother, Arthur Tobergte Jr.; a grandson, Andrew Hoffman, and a sister-in-law, Phyllis Smith.

Survivors include a brother, Colonel William F. Hixon, USA, Retired (Lorraine) of Alexandria, VA; a sister-in-law, Chris Tobergte of Green Springs, Ohio; daughters, Laurie Hoffman (Bill Steiden) of Dayton, & Melissa Liput (Rob) of Dayton; sons, Mark Hoffman (Marianne Cotugno) of Middletown & Eric Hoffman (Lisa) of Carlisle; 11 grandchildren and 9 great grandchildren.

Visitation will be Tuesday, December 9, 2014 from 5:00 - 8:00 pm at Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding Funeral Home, 3805 Roosevelt Blvd., Middletown, OH. Mass of Christian Burial will be held Wednesday, December 10, 2014 at 10:00 am at Holy Family Parish - Holy Trinity Church, 201 Clark Street, Middletown with Father John Civille as celebrant. Interment will be at Woodside Cemetery.

Memorial donations may be made to Holy Family Parish, 201 Clark Street, Middletown, OH 45042.



Funeral Home:
Wilson-Schramm-Spaulding
3805 Roosevelt Blvd.
Middletown, OH
US 45044