Obituary of Gilbert Hofschild

Gilbert W. "Smokey" Hofschild, 85, Town of Rome, died Tuesday morning, January 7, 2014, at Ministry House of the Dove in Marshfield. Funeral services will be at 11:30 A.M. on Saturday, January 11, 2014 at St. John Lutheran Church in Kellner. Rev. Kevin Ader will officiate. Burial will be in St. John Lutheran Parish Cemetery. Military rites will be rendered by American Legion Post 9. Visitation will be from 10: 00 A.M. until the time of services on Saturday at the church. Gilbert was born in Rudolph on May 2, 1928 to Gilbert W. and Mamie B. Hofschild. He married Loleta Judd on October 28, 1967. She died on November 2, 2010. Gilbert farmed in the Rudolph area and worked for Consolidated Papers Inc. before becoming a self-employed over the road truck driver, a job he was truly passionate about. He served his country in the United States Air Force during the Korean Conflict from 1951-1955. Gilbert was an avid outdoorsman and enjoyed hunting, fishing, and golfing. He was also a sports fan and liked watching the Packers and Brewers. Gilbert enjoyed time with family and friends and playing cards. He and Loleta enjoyed spending their winters in Mission, Texas and their summers at their home on Lake Camelot. Gilbert is survived by a daughter, Sharon Hofschild of Phoenix, Arizona; step-daughter, Susan (Dale) Sonnenberg of Oshkosh; step-son, James (Jill) Judd of Plover; 5 grandchildren: Dawn (Marty) Crean, Renae (David) Easley, Jennifer Sonnenberg, Jamie (Scott) Hammon, and Jordan (Brad) Holtmeier; 3 great-grandchildren: Holly Hammon and Ella and Braxton Holtmeier. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Loleta , and 2 sisters: Jean Judd and Eunice Hofschild. Herman-Taylor Funeral Home of Wisconsin Rapids is assisting the family. Memorials may be designated to St. John Lutheran Church in Kellner or to Ministry Home Care Hospice.