On December 30, 2016 Frank Hoffmann passed away peacefully surrounded by his family at Hanson Hospice Center, Stevensville, after fighting a long battle with cancer at the age of 70.
Mass of Christian Burial will take place on Friday, January 6, 2017 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 211 Church St., St. Joseph, with Father Robert Creagan officiating. A private burial will be held at Calvary Cemetery at a later time. Friends may visit with the family on Thursday, January 5, 2017 from 5 PM until 8 PM with a Prayer Service being recited at 7:30 PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel & Cremation Services, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial contributions may be made to Caring Circle, Berrien County Cancer Services or The Humane Society of Southwest Michigan. Those wishing to leave an online condolence may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Frank was born on March 31, 1946 in Wels Austria. He and his family immigrated to the United States on July 3, 1956. Frank graduated from Benton Harbor High School in 1965 and went on to Lake Michigan College to get his associates degree in the field of Tool and Die making and designing. He started his four-year apprenticeship with the former Pemco Die Casting Corp., in Bridgman, and finished with the former Paramount Die Cast plant, in Stevensville. Frank worked in the Tooling and Die Casting industry and served on the board, including President of the local chapter 39, of the North American Die Casting Industry. His real passion and desire was to someday have his own die casting operation, and so in March of 1986, with the help and support of many business associates and the full support of his wife Diana, he started Hoffmann Die Cast Corp. The business was a new startup venture located first in Benton Harbor, and as the business grew very rapidly, he relocated the operation to St. Joseph, in the former Dynac casting plant. Although the building needed many upgrades and expansions today it houses one of the most modern casting plants in Southwest Michigan.
In June of 2006, after 20 years and many long hours, Frank saw an opportunity to sell the business to his largest customer and his two business partners, whom are running the plant very successfully to this day. Frank & Diana left the business to give them more time to spend enjoying their vacation home in Nevada, more time with his immediate family & grand kids and to sharpen his golf game. He was a member of Berrien Hills CC, Spanish Trails Golf & CC in Nevada, and also his favorite place, Point O’ Woods Golf and Country Club. He was an avid golfer who loved playing with his good friends & buddies.
Frank is survived by the love of his life, his high school sweet heart, Diana Lynn (Reschke) Hoffmann, whom he married on February 19, 1966, and his best four-legged little buddy “Riley”.
He is also survived by his beautiful daughters, Tammie (John) McElligott of Berrien Springs, Tina (Fred) Fernau of St. Joseph; the best six grandkids in the world, Mike McElligott, Corporal Scott McElligott US Marine, Samantha McElligott, Alex Fernau US Navy, Eric Fernau US Airforce, and Libby Fernau; brothers, Louie (Judy) Hoffmann of Zephyr Hills Florida, Joe (Barbara) Hoffmann of Stevensville, Charles Hoffmann of Baroda, and Helmut (Bridgett) Hoffmann of Coloma; and many nephews, nieces and cousins.
Frank was preceded in death by his beloved son Frank JR.; parents, Robert & Theresia Hoffmann; brother, Rudolph (Rudy) Hoffmann; and sister Anna (David) Marks.