James “Jim” Hoffman, 85 of Valparaiso, passed away peacefully at home surrounded by family on Saturday, October 7, 2023. He was born April 18, 1938 (on his mother’s birthday), in Chicago Heights, IL, to Harold and Kathleen (Grace) Hoffman. Jim graduated from Morton High School in Hammond in 1956, received his bachelor’s degree from Roosevelt University in Chicago, and later earned his MBA from the University of Chicago. Jim worked at Indiana Information Controls (IIC) as an IT Operations Manager and Vice President. He went on to teach business courses at Ancilla College, Purdue University North Central, Indiana Wesleyan, and Westville Correctional Facility. Jim was a member of Liberty Bible Church and led Bible studies at several local churches. He was very active in the Civil Air Patrol and the Association for Systems Management. Because he liked helping others, Jim was a volunteer financial counselor at First Contact as well as a driver for people needing rides to appointments. He took pleasure in traveling, playing tennis and softball, and watching football. Jim had a good sense of humor and appreciated hearing and telling jokes. He enjoyed spending time with his beloved family, especially his grandchildren. Jim will be dearly missed.
On June 20, 1959, in Blue Island, IL, Jim married the love of his life, Sylvia Ventre, who survives, along with their children: Jeffrey (Elizabeth Zernik) Hoffman, Laura (Michael) Karr, and Tommy Hoffman, all of Valparaiso; grandchildren: Ashley (Michael) Kane, Brittany (Shane) Breitzke, Lauren Hoffman, Daniel (Alexandra) Karr, Brian Karr, and Andrew Karr; 8 great-grandchildren; and siblings: Nancy Bell and Joseph Hoffman. He was preceded in death by a son, Kevin Hoffman; father, Harold Hoffman; mother and stepfather, Kathleen and Woody York; and brother, Thomas J. Hoffman.
A visitation will be held on Friday, October 13, 2023, from 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. at Moeller Funeral Home, 104 Roosevelt Rd., Valparaiso. The funeral service will begin on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to VNA Hospice NWI.
GUESTBOOK
My deepest sympathy on your loss of Jim. -Carolyn Wagenaar
Mrs. Hoffman, Laura, Jeff, Tom, and family, My deepest condolences and heartfelt sympathy to each of you in the loss of Mr. Hoffman. I have so many wonderful memories of him, as I reflect upon the years of my friendship with Laura. I thoroughly enjoyed when he would share a joke and seeing his warm smile and glimmer in his eyes, while trying not to laugh, before getting to the punchline. His advice and insight were always welcome, and I have no doubt the treasured memories, you each keep, will remain with you forever. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers, and I will continue to keep you close to my heart in the coming days ahead. -Jennifer Pilarski
