Carl Keith Hoffman

Carl Keith Hoffman, age 78, passed away on Friday morning, March 13, 2020, at the VA hospital in Indianapolis, Indiana. He previously lived in Ladoga and Danville, Indiana. Before moving back to his hometown of Danville, he lived in California for 15 years. 

Carl was born on December 1, 1941, in Youngstown, Ohio to his parents, Edgar and Geraldine (Davis) Hoffman. He moved to Danville, Indiana in 1953 along with his four siblings and then graduated from Danville High School in 1959. While in high school, he participated in football and track. Upon graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps where he was assigned to the lll Marine Air Wing at El Toro, Irvine, California as Combat Engineer. He received training in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD), operated heavy equipment utilized by the Marines as well as assisted fire fighters controlling regional fires. He was stationed in Okinawa and by October of 1962, was sent to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, for the duration of the Cuban Missile Crisis where he spent some time aboard ship. 

He married Darlene Planchon on April 13, 1962, in Santa Ana, California. Darlene passed June 30, 2022, after battling a stroke for four years.  

After working in construction, Carl was hired by the Anaheim Police Department in California.  He worked in the patrol division, the traffic division as a master patrolman riding a Harley Davidson, and later as an undercover detective in the Special Enforcement Bureau. While working for the police department, Carl graduated with a degree from Fullerton Junior College in Police Science. 

Carl moved his family back to Danville in 1974 where he became self-employed in several businesses. He was heavily involved in politics and ran for Hendricks County Sheriff, two different elections. He managed an Indianapolis apartment complex, was a correction officer at Plainfield Correctional Facility, and worked for the State of Indiana. Later in life, both he and Darlene managed assisted living facilities at Arbor Glen (Fort Wayne, IN) and Redbud Hills (Bloomington, IN).

He enjoyed helping others whether that was snow plowing their driveways, taking down trees, moving dirt, checking in on a sick friend, providing groceries or financial assistance. Carl & Darlene also provided their own home to several homeless and mentally challenged persons throughout the years.  

In his free time, he liked to fish, hunt, target practice, cook and write. Carl was often writing a Senator or councilman and encouraging others to vote by taking out articles in the local papers. He was very adventurous and said he always wanted to live like a cowboy, so he really enjoyed Louis L’Amour novels. Carl had to be outdoors to feel relaxed and you’d often find him on a piece of large equipment. He was good with his hands and could fix just about anything.  He enjoyed collecting antiques and equipment, and also enjoyed traveling. He took his family camping and 4-wheeling throughout much of the west. However, he thoroughly loved being a grandparent. The grandkids were taught to shoot, drive a stick shift and fish from the family’s farm pond. He loved children and often provided campouts and bonfires as well as fun hayrides for family and church groups. He and Darlene attended several churches throughout their lifetime and regularly attended and hosted home meetings with church friends at Lakeview Church, Indpls, IN, and Crossroads Church, Avon, IN. 

He will be missed by his children Tammy, husband Tim, Perry of Bloomington, Indiana and Colonel Randy Hoffman (USMC Ret), wife Dawn, Hoffman of Tallahassee, Florida; grandchildren, Derek Perry, Morgan Cooper, Shawn Hoffman, Caroline Riegert and Emma Hoffman; 4 great grandchildren: Chloe, Levi, Hazel Perry and Hayes Cooper. 

Carl was preceded in death by his parents and younger brother Terry A. Hoffman who was killed in action in Vietnam.

Carl passed during COVID, and due to restrictions a service wasn’t possible at that time. Now with Darlene’s passing, a Celebration of Life service will be held at Crossroads Church, Avon, Indiana, for both Carl and Darlene on October 1, 2022, at 3:00 PM. Private burial for both will be at Spring Hill Cemetery, Cartersburg, IN.

Memorial contributions may be sent in memory of both Carl & Darlene to Samaritan’s Purse, Wounded Warrior Project, Vantage Point Foundation, Crisis Pregnancy Center, International Fellowship of Christians and Jews, and the ACLJ.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.meredith-clark.com

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