Janis Cole Hoffman Obituary (1933 - 2019)

Janis Cole Hoffman, age 86 of Bloomington IL, passed away at 7:37 AM on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 at Martin Health Center, Bloomington, IL. Wesley United Methodist Church will host her Celebration of Life memorial service at 11:00 AM Saturday, July 13. The Rev. Sara Isbell will be officiating. A luncheon will immediately follow the service in Wesley Hall with a private family graveside burial afterwards. In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Wesley United Methodist Church, or the Eastern Illinois University Foundation in care of Ernest and Janis Hoffman Family Scholarship Fund. Arrangements are being handled by Calvert & Metzler Memorial Home, Bloomington, IL. Born to Gordon Marshall Cole and Mildred Kathleen Moore Cole on May 28, 1933 in Springfield, MA, Janis married Ernest Louis Hoffman Jr. on February 20, 1954 in Springfield, MA at Trinity Methodist Church. He survives. Also surviving are her 5 sons, Paul (Alison) Hoffman, Dallas, TX, Eric (Cindy) Hoffman Tallahassee, FL, Kurt (Kelli) Hoffman, Bloomington, IL, Drew (Jane) Hoffman, Morrison, IL, and Ted (Nancy) Hoffman Bloomington, IL. They have 11 grandchildren, Parker, Megan, Jackie, Emily, Danielle, Greg, Kayla, Sam, Jon, Cole, Reid, and 1 great-grandson Harlen. Janis is preceded in death by her parents, infant son, Mark Wesley Hoffman and her brother, Gordon M. Cole. Jan attended Springfield, MA, public schools and graduated from Commerce High School. Over the years she attended Springfield College, MA, Boston University, Fontbonne College, St Louis, MO, and Illinois State University, Normal. With her husband she helped found Calvary United Methodist Church in 1959 where she taught Sunday School for several years and was active in various offices of her Church circle. She later became an active member of Wesley United Methodist Church along with her husband Ernie. Along with lovingly raising five sons, she was active in the American Field Service, and PTA at the Bloomington High School. Jan was instrumental in furthering the growth of the International Students Program at ISU while sponsoring several students in their home. She was extremely active in the League of Women Voters for several years. Additionally, she served as Chairperson of Volunteers for the McLean County Art Center for many years and later on served in the same position for the Crossroads Shop. Jan was active in the Bloomington High School Booster Club, and also gave leadership to several Cub Scout dens over the years. Jan and Ernie attended over 100 Elderhostel's in their retirement and presented many travel programs to community groups. As a volunteer couple, they served as Elderhostel hosts over 10 years at the Mountain Retreat and Conference Center in Highlands, NC. Jan had many passions and interests over the years but was best known for her intense interest in environmental issues. She was widely read in this field and was an avid advocate of recycling programs in the community. Jan loved all types of music and had an amazing memory of song lyrics. Jan was also known for her enthusiastic outlook on life and her positive attitude. Her laughter and engaging smile were contagious and her ability to tell human interest stories was appreciated by everyone. She was an amazingly beautiful human being in every respect and will be deeply missed by all her family and friends. Please view the obituary and share your condolences and memories online at www.calvertmemorial.com