Obituary of Donald Charles Hoffman

Donald Charles Hoffman, 75, of Osage Beach, MO, passed away Thursday, June 1, 2017 with friends and family by his side. 

Don was born July 16, 1941 in Oak Park, Illinois to Herbert and Charlotte Hoffman. 

Don married Rusina Grace Foster on November 7, 1970. They met when he changed her tire on the Grand Glaze bridge and later shared 46 years of marriage. 

Don is survived by his wife Rusina Hoffman, his two sons Justin Hoffman and Landon Hoffman, and his wife Alexandra, and his three grand children, Jacob Hoffman, Brooklyn Hoffman, and Vera Hoffman. 

He was preceded in death by his brother Robert Hoffman. 

Don grew up in Forest Park, Illinois where he became a life long Chicago Bears fan. He and his family moved to Webster Groves, Missouri when he was 14 years old. He attended and graduated from Webster Groves High School. While living in the St. Louis area he worked with his father on the railroad.  While in St. Louis,  Don's passion for the Cardinals and cars were born.   

Don moved again with his family in 1965 to Osage Beach, Missouri, building a home down State Road KK on Turkey Bend. Don's first job at the Lake was at Osage Catfish Hatchery where he worked for and befriended the Kahrs family.  The Kahrs family remain life-long family friends today.  Don and his brother Robert opened The Apco filling station and repair shop on Highway 54 and Lake Road 56. They operated The Apco until 1987. Don then went into business with his wife Rusina creating Village Towing and Wrecker Service, located on Highway 54 across from Lake Regional Hospital.  During this time Don also drove a school bus for Camdenton R-III schools from 1985-1994, presumably to keep a closer eye on his sons. In 2005, Don retired to stir up trouble and tinker with his favorite hobbies....cars, cars and more cars. 

Don truly enjoyed being with family and friends more than anything else. He served as Vice President of Lake Ozark little league while his sons played.  Don was always taking his boys camping and fishing and never missed one of their high school sporting events.  Don and his wife Rusina often attended car shows with one of their favorite classic cars. Be it a Model T Roadster or a corvette, they continually brought back trophies.  Despite popular belief and still under protest, the golf kart never won a trophy. Don was often called upon by many lake area friends to pull them out of a ditch, off a golf course or even out of the lake. He always had a joke to tell and a laugh to share, sometimes he even wore a shirt. 

Visitation will be held Tuesday, June 6, 2017 from 4:00- 7:00 pm at Hedges-Scott Funeral Home in Osage Beach, Missouri.