While growing up, the family attended the Lutheran Church where John was baptized as a baby and later confirmed.
John worked as a farmhand until 1951. He then served in the United States Navy until 1955. John served on the Battleship USS Iowa during the Korean War. While in the Navy he received many letters from MayDelle always containing a Bible verse. Acts 4:12 spoke to John, and he placed his faith in Jesus Christ on December 15th 1952.
John and MayDelle were married on December 12th, 1953, and they were blessed with three boys: Tim born on December 9th, 1955; Kevin born on November 1st, 1957; and Kent born on July 5th, 1960.
After the Navy, John returned to Odebolt, Iowa and worked at the Adams Ranch. At that time the Adams ranch was comprised of 11 sections and was the largest grain farm in Iowa; John was one of 3 foreman, and he would check crews by horse back and continued to work there for seven years.
At the end of those seven years he moved to Deerfield, Illinois where he was employed by the local post office. His duties included sorting and delivering mail. During this time John and his family attended the North Suburban Free Church where John served as Chairman of Buildings and Grounds, singing in the church choir, and serving in Awana clubs. Throughout his life John served in Awana clubs for 53 years. He really enjoyed kids, driving the church bus, camping, and all aspects of Awana.
After the post office, John moved on to work at Trinity College as Superintendent of Maintenance. During his time there they moved the entire campus to Bannockburn, IL.
In 1968, John and the family moved to Rockford, Illinois to become the 1st employee of Fairhaven Christian Home working as Director of Buildings and Grounds. He loved to be outside and plow snow and work in all aspects of maintenance. John also drove the bus as needed and worked at Fairhaven for a total of 28 years full time and then 15 years part time.
As a member of the Loves Park Free Church, John was Chairman of Buildings and Grounds, sang in the choir, drove the church bus, and worked in Awana.
Many years later, John and MayDelle became members of the First Free Church. John volunteered to drive the Fairhaven bus to church campus every Sunday for years. He served as an usher, sang in the choir, and worked in Awana club.
John retired in June of 1996 and, several years later, John and MayDelle moved into a duplex at Fairhaven. MayDelle passed away in January of 2020 and in the summer of 2020, John moved into the main building.
John is survived by his children, Kevin Charles Hoefling and Kent (Pamela) Hoefling; daughter-in-law, Jean Ann (Johnson) Hoefling; grandchildren, Micah John (Kari) Hoefling, Adele Marie Hoefling, Olivia Jeanne (Larson) Baird, Isaac Kent Hoefling, Adrian Ruth (Jason) Sherko; great-grandchildren, Jackson Timothy Hoefling, Maverick Steven Hoefling, Jadan Lewis Hoefling, Beau Ryder Marshall, Raegan Key Sherko, Kolten Cruz Sherko, Amara Rose Sherko, and Lucia Grace Sherko. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife MayDelle; son, Timothy John Hoefling; grandson, Jessie Lewis Hoefling.
A celebration of life visitation for John will be held Thursday, February 17, 2022 from 12:30 PM to 1:30 PM at Fairhaven Christian Chapel, 3470 North Alpine Road, Rockford, Illinois 61114, followed by a celebration of life funeral service at 1:30 PM.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.sunsetfhmemgardens.com for the Hoefling family.
