Burnell Eugene “Ben” Hoffacker, 87, died Sunday, Jan. 15, 2012 surrounded by loving family at N.C. Little Hospice in Edina, Minnesota.
Ben was born near Hanover, Penn. on Nov. 5, 1924, the second of five children to Roscoe and Beulah Hoffacker. Ben was one of the thousands of high school graduates in the summer of ’42 who joined the military to serve his country in WWII. He served as an aircraft mechanic in the US Army Air Corps.
He graduated from Lehigh University, then met the love of his life in Pittsburgh, married and started his family and career there. Ben worked as a metallurgical engineer and air pollution control engineer in Pennsylvania, Utah and Ohio. In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, living in the warm South and volunteering at Thomas Memorial Hospital and Fairhope Visitors Center. He loved serving in Methodist churches in Aliquippa, Penn. and Fairhope and keeping close to his sons and their families.
Ben is preceded in death by his brother, Dale.
Ben is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years; Joan Tallis Hoffacker, his sons; John (and Claudia) of Eden Prairie, Minn., Doug (and Nellie) of Westminster, Colo., and Tom (and Jennifer) of Murray, Ky.; seven grandchildren; Nellie Jo, Melanie, Laura, Mary Lou, Sam, Katy, and Dennie, two brothers; Lew and Tom, and his sister; Virginia.
Funeral services were held at Fairhope United Methodist Church, Saturday, Jan. 28, at 2 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to, Fairhope United Methodist Church, 155 S. Section St., Fairhope, AL 36532.
Arrangements by Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Homes, Fairhope.
