Ellwood E. Hoffman

Ellwood E. Hoffman, age 88 of Skanee, Michigan passed away on Wednesday, August 31, 2011 at Bayside Village in L'Anse, MI with heart issues.

He was born June 7, 1923 on a farm in Washington, MI to Wenzell and Loretta (Dickinson) Hoffman. Ellwood had an 8th grade education in Drayton Plains, MI but was a man of many talents and was a people person. He married Virginia Keller in Lake Orion, MI and they had three children, Mike, Chris, and Sue. She died young leaving a 5 year, 4 year, and 3 years old children who went to live with grandparents. Ellwood served in the US Army during WWII in Germany and received a Purple Heart and was marched from Prison of War Camps for a year and was wounded in 1944; released after 3 years of service with malnutrition after a long stay in hospital. He came back as a home builder; hired in Pontiac Motors Chart and Display Division in Pontiac, MI. Displayed and showed new models every year all over the U.S. working for GM for 30 years.

He married Zelma M. Smith on July 13, 1955; she had a son, Roger B. Smith, who was 15 years old who joined Mike age 11, Chris age 10, and Sue age 9 together as a family. Upon retirement they moved to Skanee after many vacations in the area. Ellwood was very talented with the 40 acre's of trees; he made many pieces of furniture with his own wood cut at Joe Janda's Saw Mill. Joe Janda and Ellwood Fished and did carpenter projects together along with David. He also tapped his own trees and had a sugar shack to make syrup to sell and give to friends and family. Ellwood also enjoyed rock tumbling, hunting, and had a long interest in tying his own fishing hooks for fly fishing. He also vegetable gardened with fence to keep the deer out. Ellwood loved feeding deer, birds, and the neighbor's dog. He very much loved retirement of 30 years in Skanee with friends and family visits.

Surviving are his children Mike Hoffman of Helena, MT, Christine (Ron) Allen of Highland, MI, Suzanne (David) Donaldson of Milford, MI; step son Roger (Oliphay) Smith of Houghton; brother Deloss "Stacy" Hoffman of North Point, FL; sisters Delores Doyle of Marlette, MI, and Muriel Colosky of Niles, MI; 5 grandchildren; 9 great grandchildren; many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, September 24, 2011 at the Zion Lutheran Church in Skanee. The Baraga County Area Veterans will conduct military rites at 10:30 a.m. at the church under the direction of the American Legion Post 444. Rev. Judy Mattson will officiate the funeral service at 11:30 a.m. with a luncheon to follow in the church basement provided by the women's auxiliary. The Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.

Friends may sign Ellwood's guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.