Gary Anthony Hoffman, age 83, was born on October 11, 1942, at home in Shepherd, Michigan, and passed away peacefully at home with his wife, Rita, by his side.
Gary graduated from Alma High School in 1960 and proudly served in the National Guard for six years.
Gary and Rita Merrifield Woodward shared 18 years together on their 30-acre farm outside Riverdale, Michigan. They were married at home in a private ceremony on Christmas Day in 2021.
Gary was first married to Sheila, and together they had three children: Jeffrey and his wife, Julie, who have three children, Peter, Anastasya, and Slava; Dana, who has a daughter, Jayden; and Nathan and his wife, Lacy, who have one son, Nash.
Gary was later married to Diana, with whom he had a stepson, Matthew.
Gary was a longtime electrician. Early in his career, he worked for Automatic Electric, a security company in Hemlock, and at Hemlock Semiconductor. Later, he moved to the Upper Peninsula with his young family to work as an electrician for Cleveland-Cliffs Iron Company in the mines, where he was also very active in the union. After two divorces, he moved to Saginaw and worked for General Motors, first at the Saginaw Brake Plant and later at the Bay City Plant, until retiring in 2006. Gary was also a Reiki Master Practitioner, as was Rita.
Gary loved flying and owned his own Cessna airplane for several years before selling it to buy his Kubota tractor. He enjoyed gardening, though over the years his large gardens became one smaller one. Large-faced sunflowers were his favorite, and he planted them in a large circle around a bonfire pit in the upper field so family and friends could gather, enjoy the fire, and look at the stars together. He also loved hunting and working in the woods gathering firewood to heat the house, with Rita working right alongside him.
Gary is survived by his children and grandchildren: Jeffrey and Julie Hoffman and their children, Slava, Peter, and Anastasya; Dana and her daughter, Jayden; and Nathan and Lacy Hoffman and their son, Nash. He is also survived by his stepson, Aaron Lloyd, his wife, Briana, and their daughters, Sydney and Natalie.
Gary came from a large family with six siblings, many aunts and uncles, and lots of cousins. He is survived by three siblings, Hugh, Janice Bacoccini, and Nancy Hoffman, as well as several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his father, Anthony; his mother, June Bebee Hoffman; his brothers, Patrick and Timothy; and his sister, Marilyn.
Gary was a great man who loved helping others and will be greatly missed by his family and his large circle of good friends.
A Celebration of Life will be held on April 18, 2026, at the American Legion/Hero Center, 1329 Michigan Avenue, St. Louis, MI 48880.
“Today I will shine like a candle that not only lights the darkness, but also brings joy and laughter to all who share my light.”
Arrangements have been entrusted to Berry Funeral Home of Shepherd.
