HOFFMAN, John Martin, age 80, of Fairfield TWP, Ohio passed away Monday July 11, 2022 at Hospice of Hamilton. He was born in a log cabin in English, Indiana on February 3, 1942, the son of Owen and Helen (Beasley) Hoffman. He spent most of his adolescent years on the farm in Indiana with his grandparents Martin and Lizzie Hoffman. He was a graduate of Hamilton Catholic High School. In the early 1960s, John served in the United Stated Navy. After leaving the Navy, he started working on the railroad and ultimately retired from CSX after almost 40 years. He married Mary Grace Schenk on September 25, 1965. Their union produced four children, Tammy (Tom) Saurber, John Jr. (Karen) Hoffman, Gary (Tina) Hoffman, and Emily (Rodney) Schooley. John has many grandchildren, including Samantha (Jack) Anderson, Edward Jr. (Brittany), Alexander, Jessica (Nicholas) Noakes, Diane, Nicholas, Sophia, Christopher, Kyle, Kevin, Lauren (Cody) Smyth, Austin, Spencer, Ryan, and Abigail. Great-grandchildren include Gavin, Grace, Grant, Gannon, Carson, Kaden, Benson, Nicholas, Isabella, Olivia, Aurora, Tatum, Addison, and soon to be Hunter.

Throughout John's life, he had many devoted friends that have since passed away, but Marty Hamblin was there until the very end.

John was a devoted member of St. Ann Catholic Church. As he grew older and unable to attend, he watched church daily on television.  He was also a member of Odd Fellows of Gratis, Ohio and The Knights of Columbus.

He loved fishing and spending time in his Michigan home located on Lake Leelanau. He went from owning a canoe, and he kept upgrading until he had a 32-foot-long Marinette named Can Do which was moored in Leland better known as Fishtown. Along with fishing, John enjoyed woodworking in which he submitted many pieces to the Butler County Fair winning first place multiple times!

He is survived by his sisters Mary Ruth (Al), Carol and brother-in-law Thomas (Bonnie) Schenk. He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Roberta Osborne, in-laws Walter and Gladys Schenk, many of Mary's siblings, and three of his son-in-law's David Buckley, Edward Kehling Sr., and David Gamel.

John was a very loving father, grandfather, uncle, and brother.  He was loved by so many.  He was a big teddy bear who will be missed terribly.  He loved his wife Mary more than life and he hung on for so many years despite being ill.  He never wanted to leave her and made his children promise to take care of her when he left this earth.  Over the last couple of months, family would visit him, and he would say "this is your last visit", as if he knew what the future was holding.  Even in his final days, his only concern was his wife, Mary.

Visitation will be held July 16, 2022, starting at 9:30. Catholic service to follow at 11:00 am at Zettler Funeral Home 2646 Pleasant Ave. with Fr. Larry Tharp from St. Ann's Church officiating. Burial will be at St. Mary Cemetery. Memorial donations can be sent to any charity or organization in John's name.  Many thanks to the staff of Hospice of Cincinnati/Hamilton.  Their love and support will be forever appreciated.  Online register book available at www.zettlerfuneralhome.com .