As a young girl, some of Rosemary’s most memorable moments were associated with her dedicated dog, Wilfred. He followed her everywhere and his love and companionship provided Rosemary with comfort. As a teenager, she enjoyed soda shops, dances, and spending her summers with her aunt. Rosemary graduated from La Clerc College in Belleville, IL, in 1948. She completed her chemistry major in just three years and was a member of Alpha Beta Gamma Sorority. After graduation, she married her husband, Elmer, on May 22, 1948, at St. Henry Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. The couple resided in Belleville and had three children.
Rosemary was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She was a fun loving and generous person. She enjoyed her young family. Rosemary liked to travel and camp, but she especially enjoyed being involved with her children. She was an active member of St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. She was a volunteer and member of the Ladies Sodality, Women’s Choir, and Bible Study, at the church. Rosemary was Boy Scout and Girl Scout Leader for her children’s troops. For a time, she taught Biology at Livingston High School, Livingston, IL, and there were many times that interesting animal dissections came home for grading. In later years, she enjoyed camping with her husband and grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 64 years, Elmer W. Hoffman, who passed away September 7, 2012; a son, Stephen W. Hoffman; and her parents, Julius and Bernice, nee Greenwalt, Friedrich.
Surviving are two children, Ronald J. (Deborah) Hoffman, and Lori L. (Vincent) DeMange; six grandchildren, Geoffrey S. (Angie) Hoffman, Holly K. (Richard) Ayer, Ronald J. Hoffman, Andrew J. Hoffman, Eric V. (Amy) DeMange, and Keith C. (Chelsea) DeMange; eight great-grandchildren, Logan Hoffman, Abby, Emma, and Izzy Ayer, Tyler and Lily DeMange, and Lexi and Christopher DeMange.
She will be greatly missed.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to School Sisters of Notre Dame, Central Pacific Province, 320 East Ripa Avenue, St. Louis, MO, 63125. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, June 4, 2021, and from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021, at George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL. CDC guidelines including masks and social distancing will be observed.
Funeral: Funeral procession will leave at 9:30 a.m. Saturday, June 5, 2021, from George Renner & Sons Funeral Home, Belleville, IL, for a 10 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Augustine of Canterbury Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Msgr. William McGhee officiating. CDC guidelines including masks and social distancing will be observed.
Burial will be at Green Mount Catholic Cemetery, Belleville, IL.