WLKM Radio 95.9 FM
Lillian L. Hofmeister, age 95, of Constantine, passed away on Sunday, November 22, 2015 at Bickford Cottage. She was born May 26, 1920, to Elmer and Neva (Nelson) Clark, at their home south of Corey, MI in Cass County. She attended Laneville rural school and Constantine Schools, graduating in 1937. She received her 2-year teaching certificate in 1938 from Cass County Normal in Dowagiac, MI. She taught in rural schools in St. Joseph County. On August 5, 1939, she married Harold Hofmeister of rural Cassopolis, MI. They had three children, Doralee, Robert, and John. In 1947, they moved to their home on Centreville-Constantine Road. She was employed at Transogram Company in Sturgis and Denton Mills in Centreville, retiring in 1980. She and her husband enjoyed traveling, camping, mushroom and deer hunting until his death in April 1988. She was an active member of the New Hope Community Church on Shimmel Road and enjoyed participating in all activities.
She is survived by her children: Doralee DeRyke, Kalamazoo, Robert and Suzanne Hofmeister, Fayetteville, GA, John and Sandra Hofmeister, Centreville; seven grandchildren: Robert (Melanie) Hofmeister, John C. (Lisa) Hofmeister, William Hofmeister, Tonya (Paul) Swanwick, Kevin (Tammy) DeRyke, Stephanie Hofmeister, and Jennifer Hofmeister; eleven great-grandchildren: Logan, Grace, Lily, Aaron, and Isabelle Hofmeister, Tyler, Morgan, Mathew, and Brayden Swanwick, Brandon (Nicolette) and Kyle DeRyke; two great-great grandchildren: Arianna and Adalynn DeRyke; sister Maxine Ropp; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband Harold, son-in-law Paul DeRyke, grandson Russell DeRyke, sister Dorothy Kramb, and brothers Cleyon Clark and Francis Clark.
Relatives and friends will be received Wednesday from 2-4 and 6-8 at Eley Funeral Home, Centreville. Religious services will be at New Hope Community Church on Friday at 11 am. Pastor Tim Eash will officiate. Interment will follow at Prairie River Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association or New Hope Community Church. Online messages may be left for the family at www.eleyfuneralhomes.com.
