MARILYN SUE HOFFMAN  

Marilyn Sue Hoffman, 88, of Canton, Mo., died, April 6, 2024 at the Quincy Healthcare and Senior Living Facility in Quincy, Ill.

Marilyn was born February 2, 1936, at her parent’s rural LaGrange, Mo. She was a daughter of J. Harold and Leona Drescher Cox. She married George William Hoffman of Canton, Mo., at the Wyaconda Baptist Church on July 18, 1964.

Marilyn grew up in LaGrange Mo., learning piano at age 4 and organ at 12.  She played both piano and organ for the First Baptist Church of LaGrange for many years during her time as a member of the church in her youth.  During her high school years Marilyn played piano accompaniment for fellow band members at State Contest, as well as performing a recital after her training at the Quincy Conservatory for voice and piano her senior year.  After graduating Valedictorian of her high school class, she went on to Northeast Missouri State Teachers College (now Truman State University) for one semester of college, but was not able to pursue that further due to the cost of an advanced education at that time.

 Marilyn had many jobs and hobbies over the years, and she spoke fondly of her years working for Judge Decoster during his time as a Missouri House Representative, on occasion spending time working in the Missouri State Capitol in Jefferson City, Mo. Marilyn’s longest employment was nearly 25 years at Culver-Stockton College in Canton Mo., where she retired from, but then continued to work part-time, keeping herself active and connected to the College.  She loved interacting with the staff at Culver and gained many friends during this time.

Marilyn spent most of her time raising her three children, making clothes and toys for them, cooking, and helping with many activities on the small family farm.  Some of her hobbies were counted cross stitch, crocheting, caning chairs, Eastern Star, PEO, and 4-H, where she was a project leader.  She is probably most remembered for her cooking, which she did for both home and the Wyaconda Baptist Church, where she was a member for many years after marrying George.  She was active in the church by playing both piano and organ, song leader, music director for vacation bible school and Christmas programs, as well as teaching an adult Sunday school class.  Marilyn provided a loving home for her children and grandchildren with smells of good food such as homemade donuts, pies, and holiday dinners; as well as music by Chopin, Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi, Mozart and a long list of hymns and carols played for church and family Christmas sing-a-longs.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, George William Hoffman, her parents, her sister Norma, and two nephews, Stanton and Steven Gragg. 

She is survived by her three children and their families; daughter Debra (Ed) Schoenfelt (grandchildren: Alex, Zachary and Macenzie); daughter Maria Baker (grandchildren: Demi and Grant), and son John (Sarah) Hoffman (grandchildren: Faith, Reese and Rowan), great grandchildren (son and daughter of Alex) Lucas and Nora Schoenfelt.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, April 13, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in Canton, Mo., with Rev. Paul Kinney officiating.

Visitation will be held Friday, April 12, 2024 from 4:00 until 8:00 p.m. at the Davis Funeral Home in Canton, Mo.

Pallbearers: Carroll Hoffman, Marvin Hoffman, Justin Hoffman, Mke Baker, Kirk Briscoe and Brantley Sanders. Music:  Karla McReynolds, Organist.

Burial will be in Wyaconda Cemetery near Canton.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Culver - Stockton College Student Scholarship Fund of Canton Mo., in care of Davis Funeral Home, P.O. Box 108, Canton, MO  63435

Online condolences may be made at www.davis-fh.com.