|
Click here to view Memorial Tribute
ETHAN CHRISTOPHER HOFFMAN, age 3, of rural New Haven, died on Sunday, April 29, 2012, as the result of a car crash at the intersection of U.S. Hwy 24 and St. Rd. 114.
Ethan was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana on September 6, 2008 to Joel Stephen and Christina Renee (Berry) Hoffman.
Ethan loved riding his bike, swimming in the family’s pool, playing with Legos and cars, coloring and watching his Thomas The Train videos. He loved to go help daddy. Ethan always stuck by his daddy’s side and worked until the job was done.
Survivors include:
Mother and father, Joel and Christina Hoffman of rural New Haven.
Ethan’s three siblings, Carley, Zachary, and Emily Hoffman all at home.
Maternal grandparents, Carl and Sue Ellen Berry of New Haven.
Paternal grandparents, Stephen and Jamie Hoffman of Fort Wayne.
Paternal grandmother, Patricia Hoffman of Fort Wayne.
Maternal great-grandfather, Alvin Berry of New Haven.
He was loved by many of his cousins.
Uncle, Bryan and Libby Berry of Ossian.
Aunt, Karen Dawson of New Haven.
Uncle, Peter and Brenda Hoffman of Dearborn, Michigan.
Uncle, Jason and Melynda Hoffman of Fort Wayne.
Uncle, Christopher and Kerri Hoffman of Fishers, Indiana.
Aunt, Amanda Hoffman of Fort Wayne.
Visitation will be Friday, May 4, 2012 from 5-8:00pm at Westview Alliance Church, 9804 Illinois Road in Fort Wayne. There will also be calling before the funeral service at the church on Saturday from 11:00am-1:00pm.
Funeral services will be Saturday, May 5, 2012 at 1:00pm at Westview Alliance Church with Pastor Jason Schlatter officiating the funeral.
Burial will be at Highland Park Cemetery in Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Preferred memorials may be made to to the family in care of Joel and Christina Hoffman.
Send a condolence to the family of Ethan at www.northernindianafuneralcare.com or Find Us On Facebook.com
Arrangements have been entrusted to Northern Indiana Funeral Care of Fort Wayne. 877-382-2756
Funeral Directors Brian DeCamp (260-343-8177 mobile) and Andy David (260-318-2712 mobile) are available at anytime to assist your needs. Please call our office phone toll free 1-877-382-2756 (24 hours/day…7 days/week).
| |
|
|
Click the button to generate a printable document containing all condolences submitted
|
Condolence Booklet
|
|
Janic Dodane
|
Posted Wed May 02, 2012
|
|
There are no words....thoughts and prayers to your family. So sorry for this tragedy, pain, and loss.
|
|
Diana (Swartz) Carney
|
Posted Wed May 02, 2012
|
|
Please accept my deepest sympathy for the loss of your son. May God be with your family and allow the utmost strength and courage to you all in this most tremendous time of grief. Always remember, if love could have saved him, he would have lived forever!
|
|
Rhesa
|
Posted Wed May 02, 2012
|
|
Ethan...I miss your big ole smile and your giggle and seeing you run at full speed around the WAC. The one thing I think of when I think about you is that you were never shy...you always talked and smiled with everyone you met. I know you are running full speed in heaven right now and sharing that big ole smile with Jesus. My heart is heavy for those you left behind but I have joy and hope in knowing that we will all be together someday!! I miss you sweet boy!!!
|
|
Terri Gibson and Evan Fineout
|
Posted Wed May 02, 2012
|
|
Dear Joel and Christina, my heart is so very heavy for you, but I am interceding on your behalf along with my church family here at St. Petersburg Vineyard Church in Florida whom I shared your story with tonight. I have felt the peace of our Father during unspeakable grief as well, and I know tho your hearts are aching He is holding you close. And won't it be a joyous day when we are all reunited again? Give Him your grief He will gladly take it and fill your hearts with His peace that will strengthen you during the days ahead. With much love and prayer to you my brother and sister. Terri Gibson and Evan Fineout
|
|
Stacy Ellowsky
|
Posted Wed May 02, 2012
|
|
Hoffman family,
My heart is heavy with sorrow for you all. Please know that you're in my thoughts and prayers, and that I'm here if you need anything.
|
|
ROSE ANN DOHNER
|
Posted Wed May 02, 2012
|
|
MY HEART GOES OUT TO YOU WITH LOVE. I BELIEVE ETHAN IS BEING HUGGED AND COMFORTED BY HIS GRANDMA RHEA, AND HIS UNCLE BEN. MAY GOD SEE YOU THROUGH THIS HEARTWRENCHING TIME. COUSIN ANN DOHNER
|
|
Bob and Kay Mattingly
|
Posted Thu May 03, 2012
|
|
May your guardian angels hold all of you close during this time, keeping you all our in our hearts and prayers. Bob and Kay Mattingly
|
|
Sarah Perkinson Stone
|
Posted Thu May 03, 2012
|
|
You don't really know me but I'm Melissa Walda's sister. We've prayed for you in the past with Carly. Please know that we are praying for you now. My heart breaks for you over little Ethan. I can't imagine what you must be feeling but smile over the fact he's sitting with Jesus.
|
|
Dave Greulach
|
Posted Thu May 03, 2012
|
|
Joel, his mother Pat and I are co-workers. I''m ashamed to say that I personally have not had the pleasure to meet Christina and the kids. But having the distinct pleasure of working alongside Joel and Pat, and as we, all co-workers combined, try to contemplate the grief and extreme sadness set upon their family at this time, we''re only somewhat comforted by those exciting stories Joel and Pat have shared with us of their many, many good times involving family experiences. It expresses not only a strong family belief, but a close loving bond we all too often take for granted. Some say we are to learn from these things. Perhaps, but for now we come together to comfort your family. Simply put, words are often too hard to find, but thoughts and prayers are plentiful at this time, believe me! May God embrace each of you, family and friends alike, closely, and please, continue teaching us as you pursue the path Ethan would so want all of us to walk.
|
|
Laura Kramer
|
Posted Thu May 03, 2012
|
|
I have never had the pleasure of meeting anyone from your family. But I couldn't help wanting to tell you how sorry I am and how your son touched my heart. There are no words that will make you feel better at a time like this but just know that there are a lot of us out there that don't know you but are sorry for what happened to your family. A lot of prayers go out to you!
|
|
Butch and Trish Saalfrank
|
Posted Thu May 03, 2012
|
|
There are no words great enough to express the pain you must be feeling... Please feel the Lord''s arms wrap around you and your family and the prayers and thoughts from all around you. We are so very sorry for your loss. The Saalfrank Family
|
|
Matt, Karen, Gavin, and Madison Ringwald
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
We have never had the pleasure of meeting Ethan, but his smiling face will be engraved in our hearts forever. Please know that we have, are, and will continue to keep your family in our thoughts and prayers.
|
|
Deeana Marshall (Pastor Jason''''s sister)
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
As a mother I find it difficult to even fathom the grief, pain, and overwhelming sorrow you are going thru...and like everyone else has spoken here so elequently - I pray that the Lord wraps his loving arms of grace around you and gives you SOME comfort and peace. You are surrounded by love and prayer by so many - may you be lifted up and held tightly in all the days to come when you need it most. My heartfelt condolences to your family, you will all be in my family''s prayers. God bless each of you.
|
|
Laurie (Hoffman) and Ray Osborne
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
Our hearts goes out to your whole family. You are in our thoughts and prayers. We remember you all fondly from the family reunion several years ago. God be with you.
With love,
Your cousin Laurie
|
|
Melany Hofmann
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
I worked with Mandy (Ethan''s aunt) and can recall many stories about the children. One in particular stands out about Ethan and his dumptruck ( makes me smile quite often). I have not personally met the children, but my prayers go out to the family. He is in Heaven now, with God watching over you awaiting the day when you can all be reunited. So sorry for your loss.
|
|
colette simkins
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
our hearts break with yours,as we lift your family up in prayer, may God be your everything and know you are loved!(from fairlane alliance church dbn.,mi)
|
|
Nikkie Reyes
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
"I held him for a little while, made plans to watch him grow. We played each waking moment so he’d know I loved him so. I cherish all the tiny things that went unnoticed then. A special bond between us grew my little one, my friend. A place of honor he will have in my heart and in my home. It gives me strength and peace to know that he is not alone. I know that Jesus holds him close and tends his every need. Our child is safe in heaven; he holds a noble place indeed."
My thoughts and prayers go out to Christina, Joel and Family, may God wrap your family in his arms and give you the strength you need. You have a tremendous amount of support. I can not even begin to image the heart ache of losing a child. May you find comfort in knowing he is with God and watching down on you as an angel.
|
|
Mary (Hoffman) & Robin Lemberger
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
We are so sorry for the loss of your son and for the pain you are feeling. We remember you all from the family reunions at Steve's house. Our thoughts are with you.
|
|
Cheryl & Phil Mercier
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
We are so sorry for your loss of a beautiful son, we now know is named Ethan. We wished we could have done more last Sunday as we were present at the tragedy. Please know we continue to pray for your family.
|
|
Jim and Linda Nord
|
Posted Fri May 04, 2012
|
|
Dear Carl & Sue and family,
We were so sorry to hear about the tragic loss of your grandson, Ethan Christopher. We have no words that could help at this time but please know you are in our thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. May God keep you in His arms always.
|
|
Mike and Rose Murphy
|
Posted Sat May 05, 2012
|
|
Steve, Jamie and Family...we are so sorry for the loss of your little Ethan. His tribute is a beatiful tapestry of his life. It is clearly evident that he was loved dearly and that he gave so much more love back. May God comfort you all during this time and in the days ahead. Our prayers are with you. God's peace and blessings.
|
|
Gary and Linda Glenn
|
Posted Mon May 07, 2012
|
|
Dear Joel & Christina ~
We are bathing you and your family in our thoughts and prayers. Your hearts are so heavy in the loss of your precious little son! May the knowledge that you will reunite with him one day and dwell eternally with him and other loved ones who have gone on Home be a salve to your hearts in the days and time ahead. When I think of little Ethan now, I envision him sitting right on Jesus' lap! May God bless you and comfort you and keep you in His loving care.
Love and Prayers,
Gary and Linda Glenn (Greg's Parents)
|
|
Laura Marker
|
Posted Tue May 08, 2012
|
|
I followed Carley's caringbridge.com updates for quite awhile. When I heard this story I was so saddened. I am deeply sorry for the loss of your precious son. As a Christ follower, too, I find solace in the fact the Ethan is with his Lord and savior. My deepest sympathies to your family.
I pray Christ's love, peace, and comfort over you all.
Laura Marker
|
|
Keith & Michelle Amstutz
|
Posted Thu May 31, 2012
|
|
To the family of, Ethan Christopher Hoffmann,
With our "most deepest" sympathy in the loss of your loved one. We also lost a son in 2007. Joshua was 22 years old. Our hearts broke when we heard about your family being in the accident & the loss of, Ethan. Such a precious young life to have been lost. We are just so sorry for your sadness & all you are having to endure. You continue to be in our thoughts & in our prayers.
We are in a group called, The Compassionate Friends, that supports family after a child dies. It is a
self-help organization that is open to all bereaved families that have experienced the death of a child, sibling, or grandchild from any cause, at any age, from pre-birth to adulthood. The mission of, The Compassionate Friends, is to assist families toward the positive resolution of grief following the death of a child & to provide information to help others be supportive.
At the meetings we share our experiences resulting from our child's death, & how we deal with those experiences. The chance to talk & share & listen is so important in the grieving process. If you ever are interested in attending, there is no time frame in which to start coming. Come when you think you are ready to meet others who understand how you feel. There is a chapter in Fort Wayne that meets the first Tuesday of every month at 7:30pm - 9:30pm with the exception of July & December.
First Presbyterian Church in Room 303
300 W. Wayne Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Corner of W. Wayne & Webter Streets
Parking off of Berry Street
Our chapter offers a bi-monthly newsletter & has a Lending Library with Grief Related Material. In July there is a Balloon Release/Picnic at Lakeside Park & in December Candle Light Service.
National Office ~ Toll Free:
877-969-0010
www.compassionatefriends.org
|
|
