John L. Hofer, age 77 and a lifelong resident of Elwood, passed away peacefully on Friday, September 15, 2017 at his residence following an extended illness.  He was born September 14, 1940 in Elwood, the son of Lyndon H. and E. Katherine (Murray) Hofer.  John retired from General Cage Corporation in Elwood in 2009 after 22 years of employment as a delivery truck driver for the company.  He also formerly worked at Steel Parts Corporation in Tipton for nearly 25 years as a Tool and Die Draftsman.  John was a 1958 graduate of Wendell L. Willkie High School, and later served in the Army National Guard.  John married his first wife, Laurel "Jo" Hinds on November 22, 1963, and they shared 40 years of marriage together before her passing in 2004.  He later married Mary M. (Loser) Stout on December 23, 2007, and they have shared 9 years of marriage together.  John enjoyed motorcycles and was a lifetime member of "HOG" (Harley Owners Group) as well as the Elwood Elks Lodge #368.  He was a fan of NASCAR racing and was formerly an avid bowler - being the first person to roll a perfect "300" game at Lucky Strike Lanes in Elwood.  John enjoyed attending Harmony Christian Church in Leisure for the past several years.  John truly loved the Fall season and especially enjoyed trips to Amish Country and Middlebury, Indiana.  More than anything he loved spending time with all his grandchildren and spoiling them as only a grandpa can.  John will be greatly missed by his family and all who loved him.

John's family legacy includes his wife, Mary M. Hofer of Elwood; 3 children, Stephanie Bright of Elwood, Scott Hofer (partner Mark Totedo) of Indianapolis, and Greg (wife Stacey) Hofer of Elwood; brother, Robert (wife Miriam) Hofer of Pendleton; 3 step children, Jamey (husband Rob) Hickson, Julie (husband Rodney) Malone, and Robert (wife Gina) Stout; 6 grandchildren, Haley (husband Tony) Schnepp, Sydney Bright, Chloe Bright, Noah Hofer, Meghan Hofer, and Nicholas Hofer; great-granddaughter, Katherine Schnepp; 10 step-grandchildren; 12 step-great grandchildren; a step-great-great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews.  John was preceded in death by his parents; first wife, Laurel "Jo" Hofer in 2004; and brother, Kenneth Hofer in 2015.

A funeral service celebrating John's life will be conducted at 11:00 AM Thursday, September 21, 2017 at Harmony Christian Church in Leisure with Rev. Ron Meyer officiating.  Burial will follow in Sunset Memorial Park Cemetery in Elwood.  Visitation for family and friends will be held from 4 to 8 PM on Wednesday, September 20, 2017 at Copher-Fesler-May Funeral Home in Elwood and one hour prior to the funeral at Harmony Christian Church on Thursday.  Memorial contributions are suggested to Harmony Christian Church through the funeral home.  Online expressions of condolence may be made at copherfeslermay.com.