Elwyn Hofen

Funeral services for Elwyn Hofen will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday, December 7, 2023, at the Hopeton Church with Pastor Drake Colvin and Rev. Brent Hofen officiating. Interment will follow in the Alva Municipal Cemetery under the direction of Marshall Funeral Home of Alva. Elwyn Gene, son of the late Orville Raymond and Judith V. (Benson) Hofen was born May 30, 1946, at Colby, Kansas, and passed away December 1, 2023, at Alva, at the age of 77 years, 6 months, and 1 day. Elwyn grew up in a Pastors home traveling mainly the Kansas District of Pilgrim Holiness Churchs later becoming the Wesleyan denomination. In 1961, the family moved to Blackwell, Oklahoma, and Elwyn graduated high school there. Following high school, Elwyn’s father, Orville, passed away and he and his mother moved to the Alva-Dacoma area where he spent many summers with his family who farmed in the area since 1907. In Alva, he attended Northwestern Oklahoma State College, gaining a B.A. English and a Masters in Education. It was here he met Miss Evelyn Martin and they married in March of 1971. Elwyn and Evelyn both taught in public schools in the area while Elwyn also farmed. Elwyn taught English and Journalism to high schoolers in Carmen-Dacoma Schools and also at Bartlesville Wesleyan College, now called Oklahoma Wesleyan University. He then worked as Assistant Cashier for the Central National Bank of Alva, and then Cashier for the Hopeton State Bank. In 1985, he began his career in the Vocational Technical school system teaching adult education night classes in the Business and Industry program. An avid photographer, he taught photography classes at the Alva VoTech and Northwestern Oklahoma State University for several years. Later he became the first computer and programming instructor for the Alva VoTech and taught computer courses for many years. After retirement he enjoyed having coffee with the “Coffee Crowd” at McDonalds, Holders, or 818 Diner. Elwyn's life was marked by his profound love for his family and unwavering dedication to his faith. As a husband, father, grandfather, uncle, teacher, leader, and farmer, he impacted countless lives, embodying what it means to wholeheartedly follow Jesus. His consistent life of faith and love inspired many, especially in pursuing their callings and loving others unconditionally. Besides his parents, Orville and Judith, he was preceded in death by his wife of 50 years, Evelyn; and two sisters, Merlene and Nadeen. Elwyn is survived by his sons, Brian Hofen and wife, Lynn, of Alva, Brent Hofen and wife, Heather, of Portland, Oregon, and Brad Hofen and wife, Ruchita, of Nagpur, India; his sister-in-law, Pat Shearer of Tulsa; his grandchildren that he was so proud of, Braden, Brooks, and Madison Hofen, Kalynn Samples, all of Oklahoma, Emma, Blake, and Lauren Hofen of Portland, Oregon, and Cassia and Candace Hofen of Nagpur, India, Briana and Michaelea Samples of Texas; a number of great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorial contributions may be made through the funeral home to the Hopeton Church.

Elwyn Hofen

May 30, 1946 - December 1, 2023