John Evan Hoffman

April 14, 1951 – March 27, 2024

John Evan Hoffman passed away at his home in Lovell on March 27, 2024, at the age of 72. He was surrounded by loved ones after having bravely fought a two-year battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was born to Norman “Dutch” and Doris Hoffman on April 14, 1951, in the old Lovell Hospital. He was the third of four children. About the time John was born, three of his cousins also came to live with Dutch and Doris, so he was raised in a large family with four brothers and two sisters.

John loved his wife and family, he loved his Heavenly Father and his Savior, he loved serving in the church, and he loved the mountains and his horses. He loved living in Lovell, and he loved the people in this area.

In his youth, John loved to spend time on the mountain with his family. He remembered growing up with a great group of friends and spent lots of his free time playing sports. He loved to play baseball, basketball and football, and he even did a little boxing.

John graduated from Lovell High School in the Class of 1969. He attended one year of college at NWCC and then was called to serve a two-year mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in the England Central Mission. This was truly a highlight in his life. He loved the work. He loved his companions, and he loved the people he taught. 

John returned home and married the love of his life, Cheri Reutzel. They were sealed on October 5, 1973, in the Provo Temple.

Over the years John and Cheri have been inseparable. Last fall they celebrated their 50th anniversary. Together, they raised five children. John’s children remember spending lots of time with him playing sports, riding horses and spending time outdoors.

John worked a variety of jobs over his life. He worked at Marathon Oil for 18 years. He also worked on construction crews, built numerous homes and drove school bus after he retired. He was a talented salesman and enjoyed working as a realtor in St. George, Utah. He raised and trained Foxtrotter horses for many years and loved riding them on the Big Horns.

John was a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and faithfully served in a variety of callings throughout his life. He had a strong testimony of his Savior Jesus Christ and shared that testimony with many people through his words and actions.

In his later years, John loved being at home, working with his horses, spending time irrigating and working on his place. When he traveled it was to visit his children and grandchildren. He was very proud of his sons, daughter-in-law and grandsons, who served in the military. He loved attending military ceremonies all over the country. He was very patriotic and loved his country. 

He loved his family, he served others in a quiet way, and he always made good decisions. With him, there were not many gray areas. He saw things as black and white and had great integrity. It was said that he made doing the right thing look easy. He was loved and will be missed by many.

John was preceded in death by his father, Norman “Dutch” Hoffman, mother Doris Hoffman and beloved brother Noel Hoffman. 

He is survived by his wife, Cheri; sons Brian (Dena) Hoffman, Kevin (Brittany) Hoffman and Justin (Celeina) Hoffman; daughters Marci (Shane) Durtsche and Laura (Dan) Plaisted; 18 grandchildren; one precious great-grandson; brother William Hoffman; sister Susan Moore; and many cousins, nieces and nephews.

John’s funeral service was held April 2 at the LDS Stake Center in Lovell. Interment was at the Lovell Cemetery.