Floyd John Hoffman

Floyd John Hoffman: Floyd passed away Monday evening at Mahaska Hospital in Oskaloosa with Corda at his side. He was 85 years and 3 days of age. Floyd's family includes his wife of over 59 years, Corda Hoffman of Oskaloosa; and his sisters: Marjorie Rogers of Lucas, IA and Mary Louise Boyd of Chariton, IA. Floyd John Hoffman, the fourth child born to Clarence Andrew and Florence Gertrude Frueh Hoffman was born September 26, 1923, at his parent's farm home NE of Lacona, IA in Warren County. The family would move to four other farms in Lucas and Warren Counties before moving to the town of Lucas in the spring of 1929. Floyd had many memories of these places ? mostly associated with the injuries of a rambunctious lad. He attended school in Lucas, where his sister was in the same grade as he for the entire 12 years. He soon learned to behave in school, when the day's events were recited at every evening meal. Floyd was a 1942 high school graduate, about the time WWII broke out. He tried to enlist, but was turn down because of health problems. He then traveled to Marysville, CA, where he worked for the Gibson Bus Line, transporting passengers to Camp Beale and other area towns. October 12, 1943, he entered into active service with the Army Air Force. After completing basic training, he attended 14 months of schooling in Radio-Electronics and Radar at several military bases. Following his radar education, he was sent to Bergstrom Air Base, where he taught pilots flying cargo planes how to use the new radar equipment. After D-Day, Floyd was given the choice of going to Europe or the South Pacific, he choose the S. Pacific thinking the long flight over the Pacific Ocean would be a thrill. His flying hopes were dashed after returning from furlough, he was informed he would be traveling by water, a 30 day trip to Manila. He became part of the 375th Troop Carrier Group in the mountains at the Philippine Islands; he then traveled to Okinawa and then to Tokyo. His unit flew American and Japanese personnel around Japan and Korea informing people that the war was over. He was discharged as a Corporal, March 17, 1946, at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Upon his return to Iowa, he went to work for the Central Construction Company building new roads in Iowa. After they closed for the winter, he was employed by the Burlington Railroad in Rochelle, IL in their signal department wiring train signals and installing crossing gates for safety. April 1, 1948, with the encouragement of friends, Floyd started his own business. The business supplied merchandise, equipment and other supplies needed by service stations, garages, tire shops and retail stores. Over the 44 years he was in business he met many wonderful people, he traveled over 1,600,000 miles, to 33 counties, over gravel to 4 lane roads, and through much mud and snow. In 1991 he decided to sell his inventory to his customers and retire. July 2, 1949, Floyd married Corda Baker at the Little Brown Church in Nashua, IA. They made their home in Oskaloosa, from which Floyd operated his business. In Floyd's younger days he enjoyed playing baseball, softball and small game hunting, especially with a good hunting dog. When he was older he continued to enjoy baseball and was a diehard Cubs fan since 1941. He also enjoyed collecting coins, something he enjoyed with his customers for many years. Floyd was a member of the First Presbyterian Church where he had served as an elder and for many years as an usher. He was also a member of Masonic Council Lodge AF & AM. Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers: Clarence and Dewayne Hoffman and his sisters: Wilma Goben and Alice Shupe. PDF Printable Version

Floyd John Hoffman

September 26, 1923 - September 29, 2008