Linda Hoffman

Linda Kay Poling Hoffman, age 78 of Van Wert, Ohio, passed away on December 27th at 11:41 p.m. after a brief illness.

Linda was born July 1, 1939, at home in Pleasant Township, Ohio, to William L. and Beatrice Marie (Reed) Poling, whom both died April 26, 1963. She is the last surviving sibling of seven brothers and sisters. She was baptized March 4, 1940, at the Methodist Episcopal Church and confirmed in 1950 at the same church. On June 4, 1959, at the First Methodist Church in Van Wert, Ohio, she married Larry L. Slocum of Findlay, Ohio. From this marriage, they had two children. He preceded her in death on August 21, 1984. On March 5, 1988, at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Van Wert, she married Frank B. Hoffman who preceded her in death on April 4, 2017.

Mrs. Hoffman attended Pleasant School from 1945 through 1953. She graduated from Van Wert High School in the class of 1957. She then attended Bowling Green State University. She lived in Findlay, Bowling Green, Lima and Van Wert, Ohio as well as Niles, Michigan.

Mrs. Hoffman was a homemaker who enjoyed volunteering at the Performing Arts Center and traveling to many parts of the world and almost all of the 50 states.  She was a member of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Esther Circle, Van Wert Hospital Twig III, past president and current member of Evergreen Garden Club, past Regent of Issac Van Wert chapter Daughters of American Revolution, a poll worker for the County Election Board, and a life member of the Van Wert County Historical Society. She was a past member of YWCA Board, Willow Bend Golf Club, past Regent of the DAR and Visiting Nurses Association, Hospice Volunteer, and member of Goshkiki Japan culture exchange program. She enjoyed cooking, baking, and gardening.

She is survived by one daughter, Laura Slocum (Steve) Blair of Mason, Michigan, and granddaughter, Alexandra Blair; stepchildren: Frank W. (Barb) Hoffman of Van Wert, Rodger (Cathy) Hoffman of Pine Key, FL., Teresa (Jim Miller) Klahn of Loveland, CO, and Lori (Rocky) McVaigh of Van Wert, OH. Grandchildren: Melissa (Steve) Krendl, Cara and Joe (Jaime) Hoffman, Josh (Amy) Fabian, Sherry (Kenneth) Brumette, Timothy Figley, Kelly Winters, Julie Wankleman, Katie McVaigh and 12 great grandchildren. Also surviving is her  sisters-in-law, Lois Poling and Bernadette Poling.

She was preceded in death by an infant daughter, Lori Lynn Slocum in 1960 and a stepdaughter, Sandra (Keith) Figley in addition to three brothers: William, Paul Richard “Dick”, and Charles Poling and three sisters: Alice Good, Margaret Ross, and Mary Germann.

Celebration of Life gathering will be held at Willow Bend Country Club on January 27th at 2:30 pm with visiting hour starting beforehand at 1:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested that memorial contributions be made to the Van Wert Children’s Garden and Brumback Library.

Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.  Online condolences may be expressed at:  www.alspachgearhart.com