Burnell Eugene "Ben" Hoffacker

EDINA , MN Burnell Eugene “Ben” Hoffacker, age 87, passed away Sunday, January 15, 2012 surrounded by loving family at N.C. Little Hospice in Edina , Minnesota . Ben was born near Hanover , PA on November 5, 19 24, the second of five children to Roscoe and Beulah Hoffacker. Ben was one of the thousands of high school graduates in the summer of ’42 who joined the military to serve his country in WWII. He served as an aircraft mechanic in the US Army Air Corps. He graduated from Lehigh University , then met the love of his life in Pittsburgh , married and started his family and career there. Ben worked as a metallurgical engineer and air pollution control engineer in Pennsylvania , Utah and Ohio . In retirement, he enjoyed traveling with his wife, living in the warm South and volunteering at Thomas Memorial Hospital and Fairhope Visitors Center .  He loved serving in Methodist churches in Aliquippa , PA and Fairhope , AL and keeping close to his sons and their families.  Ben is preceded in death by his brother, Dale. Ben is survived by his devoted wife of 58 years; Joan Tallis Hoffacker, his sons; John (and Claudia) of Eden Prairie, MN, Doug (and Nellie) of Westminster, CO, and Tom (and Jennifer) of Murray, KY, seven grandchildren; Nellie Jo, Melanie, Laura, Mary Lou, Sam, Katy, and Dennie, two brothers; Lew and Tom, and his sister; Virginia. Funeral services will be held at Fairhope United Methodist Church , Saturday, January 28, 2012 at 2:00 PM . The family will receive friends at Wolfe-Bayview Funeral Home, Fairhope , AL , Friday, January 27, 2012 from 5:00 until 7:00 PM . In lieu of flowers, the family suggest memorials be made to, Fairhope United Methodist Church , 155 S. Section Street , Fairhope , AL 36532 . ARRANGEMENTS BY WOLFE-BAYVIEW FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY, INC. 19698 GREENO ROAD FAIRHOPE , AL   36532