Barry J. Hoffman, 72, Michigan City, Indiana, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2022 at 9:45 pm in Franciscan Health - Michigan City.
Private family services and burial will take place in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA. The Ott/Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Michigan City, IN is handling arrangements.
He was born February 3, 1949 in Michigan City, IN to the late John and Eleanore (Janosky) Hoffman. On April 4, 1970 in Michigan City, IN he married Virginia Sparrow who survives in Michigan City, IN.
Also surviving are two daughters, Jill (Jeremy) Chinn of New Carlisle, IN and Emily (Troy) Wile of Fredericksburg, VA; two sons, Eric (Stephanie) Hoffman of LaPorte, IN and Gregory (Tracy) Hoffman of Pineville, LA; eleven grandchildren, Kateyln, Austin, Ben, Hayleigh, Laiken, Aaron, Isaac, Eleanor, Tripp, Tucker and Evangeline; and his sister, Gloria Kopanski of Elkhart, IN.
He was also preceded in death by a daughter, Camille Hoffman; and sister, Sandra Wojasinski.
Barry retired as a relief operator at NIPSCO and was a U.S. Army Veteran of Vietnam.
Barry began his very common, adventurous, American life as, Hope-A-Long Cassidy and The Cisco Kid. Then, he became a cub scout and boy scout camping at Camp ToPeNeBee. He was an accurate snowball thrower which lead him to become a fast runner, to play flag football for the Riley Panthers. Barry went on to become an IC baseball player, then advancing to Isaac C. Elston Red Devil baseball team.
Barry then graduated from high school, then the draft called him. He served honorably during the Vietnam Conflict, being wounded twice, gaining two Purple Hearts. He became a VFW lifetime member. Getting hired at NIPSCO in 1970, becoming a Union man forever. Getting married, becoming a father and diaper changer. An active Coolspring baseball coach and umpire. A driver education teacher to his children. The father who couldn't wait to take kids to the movies, Dairy Queen, and hotdogs stands. A sponge brick thrower at the TV when Notre Dame football, I.U. basketball, and Cub games didn't go his way. He was the lawn mower, the golf player, the vacation driver for his parents, his in-laws and yearly family vacations.
He retired into a Harley motorcycle rider, graduating to a RV motor home driver. He then became a wonderful, caring, unforgettable laughing grandfather, slowly turning into a hospital customer. Fought Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, DISCITIS, Squamous Cell Cancer to become a masterful cane walker, and upgrading to a Zinger Rider. Lastly, succumbing to Bilateral Covid Pneumonia walking the stairway to the open gates to Heaven.
Barry's love for his family was enduring, he will be missed dearly.
Contributions may be made to St. Jude's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl., Memphis, TN 38105, Shriner's Children's Hospital, 2211 N. Oak Park Ave., Chicago, IL 60607 or to Wounded Warrior Project, P.O. 758517, Topeka, KS 66675.
