Franklin Eugene Hoffman, 75, of Eaton, Colo., died March 15 at University of Colorado Hospital in Denver after a courageous battle with cancer. He passed away peacefully with his family at his bedside.
Frank was born on Jan. 30, 1935, to Ralph and Helen (Goodwin) Hoffman in Peoria, Ill. He joined the Army in 1954 and was stationed in England, until he was honorably discharged in 1957. During his service in the Army, he met his beloved wife, Joy, and they were married, Dec. 8, 1956, in England.
After marrying they moved to Wyoming, Ill. Frank worked many jobs in Peoria, Ill., eventually finding his passion at a meat packing plant in Wyoming, Ill. He went on to open his own packing plant in Toulon, Ill., in 1963. He retired from there at age 42. Deciding the retired life wasn't for him, he went into the livestock business and owned and operated the Wyoming Sale Barn with his two sons for four years. He then heard of a packing plant in Greeley, Colo. In 1984 he moved to Greeley, Colo., and opened a new packing plant called Hoffman Meats. Over the years he owned and operated three packing plants in the Greeley, Colo. area. In 2007 he finally retired.
He is survived by his wife of 53 years, Joy Hoffman of Eaton, Colo.; his two sons, Keith Hoffman (Becky) of Greeley, Colo. and Kevin (Sally) Hoffman of Brimfield, Ill. He is also survived by two granddaughters, Katherine and Jennifer Hoffman of Brimfield, Ill; and one brother and one sister. He was preceded in death by one son, Steven, and one sister.
A private service will be held for the family, and a celebration of Frank's life for family and friends will be held at the Eagle's Club #3519 in LaSalle, Colo., on Saturday March 20, 2010 at 1:00pm. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Eagles Club, c/o Robin.