Willametta M. "Willie" Hoffman

Willametta M. "Willie" Hoffman, 88, of Chapman, Kan., grandmother of Vickie Smith of Rector, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2006, at Chapman Valley Manor.

She was born Feb. 5, 1918, in the Navarre, Kan., community, the daughter of Alby and Cor Sheets, and was married Aug. 20, 1935, to Edward Hoffman, who preceded her in death Oct. 8, 2003. Most of their married life was spent in the Navarre community, before moving to Abilene, Kan. in 1991.

Mrs. Hoffman was a telephone operator in Navarre for 10 years. For 18 years, she was an officer in charge of the Navarre Post Office.

She was a member of the First United Methodist Church, Abilene, and the Dickinson County Historical Society.

In addition to her husband, she was preceded in death by two sons, Larry, in infancy and Lyle on May 30, 1994, and two grandchildren.

Other survivors include two daughters, Joan Rider and Ileta Ward, both of Salina, Kan.; three sons, Marvin Hoffman of Concordia, Kan., Edwin Hoffman of Salina and Dwight Hoffman of Abilene; 16 other grandchildren; 31 great-grandchildren, including Danielle Clairday of Paragould, Michael Smith of Dexter and Jacob Smith of Marmaduke, all formerly of Rector, and several great-great grandchildren of this area.

Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, at the First United Methodist Church in Abilene with Rev. Jim Edwards officiating. Burial was in Navarre Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church or the Dickinson County Historical Society.