Richard W. Hoffman

Richard W. Hoffman, 86, of Wichita, Kansas, died at 2:35 a.m., Wednesday, February 13, 2013, at the Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice Center at Via Christi St. Francis Campus in Wichita.

He was born October 9, 1926, in the Coy community of rural Woods County, Oklahoma, to Benjamin Franklin and Cinderella (Sellers) Hoffman. As a young boy, he grew up in the Coy Community. During WWII, he served as a mechanic in the United States Army Air Corps.

He and Opel Keesee were married April 24, 1948, in Vinita, Oklahoma. They divorced in 1978. Following marriage, they lived south of Coldwater and then Alva, before moving to Wichita in 1954. While living in Wichita, he worked as a superintendent for several years at Boeing and Gentry Ready Mix. In 1958, he formed H&R Excavating and, in 1969, started Richard Hoffman Trucking and continued to work there until his death.

He was a member of the American Legion Post No. 401 in Wichita. He enjoyed dune buggying and spending time with his family and friends.

Survivors include:
Two Daughters - Catherine Deal of the home;
Dee Ann Vannoster and her husband, Rick Afton, OK;
Seven Grandchildren – Brent Deal and wife, Carol Wichita, KS;
Chris Deal and wife, Monica Haysville, KS;
Richard L. Hoffman and wife, Susie Bentley, KS;
Shiloh Hoffman and wife, Marcy Udall, KS;
Summer Vannoster Afton, OK;
Robbie Vannoster Broken Arrow, OK;
Benjamin Epperson and wife, Andrea Wichita, KS;
Thirteen Great-Grandchildren – Cody Urban Wichita, KS;
Mat Urban Dallas, TX;
Alex Deal Beloit, KS;
Nate Deal Haysville, KS;
Dakota and Emma Hoffman Bentley, KS;
Toby Gray Udall, KS;
Hannah and Abbey Hoffman Udall, KS;
Hayden Epperson Wichita, KS;
Kyler and Kelby Vannoster and Rylan Reed Afton, OK;
One Brother – Bob Hoffman and his wife, Lois Wichita, KS.

He was preceded in death by one son, Dennis Hoffman, on November 9, 2001; an infant daughter, Carol Ann Hoffman; two brothers, Bill Hoffman and Virgil Hoffman; and three sisters, Florence Bliss, Pearl Wheeler and Laura Mahoney.

The family will receive friends from 4-7:00 p.m., Saturday, February 16, 2013, at the West Side Church of the Nazarene, 2300 S. Seneca Street, in Wichita. Following the visitation, the body will be cremated with memorial services to be held at a future date. Burial of the ashes will be at Greenwood Cemetery in Wichita.

Memorials are suggested to Harry Hynes Memorial Hospice. These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.forbeshoffman.com.