Carl Joseph Hoefler, age 95, of Manhattan, died April 16, 2024, at the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice House in Manhattan.
He was born March 16, 1929, in Westphalia, Kansas, the son of Vincent Joseph and Caroline Ann (Stahl) Hoefler.
Carl grew up in rural Westphalia on the family farm and graduated from Westphalia High School.
He farmed in the Westphalia area until 1955 when he moved to the Manhattan Area. He then worked for Mertz Farms, R&G Market, Frye Farms and at Doebele IGA Market prior to joining the Manhattan Fire Department. He worked for 22 years as a Fireman and then for 7 years for the Manhattan Water Department. While with the Fire Department he worked for Carl Drumm General Contracting as a laborer. Carl loved working and he was skilled in many crafts.
Carl was a very devout member of the Catholic Church and served as an Altar boy at his home church, St. Teresa Catholic Church in Westphalia, from 4th grade until the week before he got married. He was a member of the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan.
He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus and the Konza Prairie Chapter of the United States Bowling Congress. He was a sports fan and enjoyed bowling, traveling, hunting and fishing. Most of all Carl loved his family and was a great father, grandfather and great-grandfather. He loved going to his family’s activities and spent many hours in the bleachers watching all of their events and activities.
On September 15, 1951, in Westphalia, Kansas, he was married to Patricia Joan Colvin. Patricia preceded Carl in death on March 21, 2003. He was also preceded in death by five siblings: Richard, Vincent and John Hoefler, Anna Huerter, and by a brother in infancy.
Survivors include five children: Carla Jacobia (Jim) of Wamego, KS, Marcia Roets of Manhattan, Rob Hoefler (Mary) of Manhattan, Steve Hoefler (Brenda) of Manhattan, and Mike Hoefler (Kim) of Pawhuska, OK; 11 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
The family will receive friends from 4:00 to 5:30 P.M. Sunday, April 21st, at the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home. A Parish Vigil will be held at 5:30 P.M. Sunday, in the funeral home chapel.
Mass of the Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 A.M. Monday, April 22nd, at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Manhattan with Father Gale Hammerschmidt as Celebrant. Interment will follow in the Sunrise Cemetery in Manhattan.
Memorial contributions may be made to either the Good Shepherd Homecare and Hospice House or Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Contributions may be left in care of the Yorgensen-Meloan-Londeen Funeral Home, 1616 Poyntz Avenue, Manhattan, KS 66502.