Rev. Eugene F. Hoffman, CSV, died Oct. 12, 1972 at Tower Hill Hospital in St. Louis. The longtime high school administrator was in the 42nd year of religious profession and 37th year of his priesthood. He was 63.
Fr. Hoffman was born Dec. 8, 1908 in Benson, IL near Peoria. In 1926, he enrolled at St. Viator College in Bourbonnais and in 1930 earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry
He professed his first vows with the Viatorian Community on Aug. 15, 1931 and final vows on Sept. 1, 1934.
After completing his theology course at Catholic University of America in Washington DC, he was ordained a priest on May 31, 1936 in Peoria by Bishop Joseph H. Schlarman.
Fr. Hoffman taught at St. Viator College from 1936-1938, at St. Philip High School in Chicago from 1938-1947 and at Fournier Institute in Lemont, IL from 1947-1954.
Fr. Hoffman was the first principal of St. Patrick High School (now Bishop McNamara High School) in Kankakee. He served in that capacity and concurrently as administrator of Sacred Heart Church in Goodrich, from 1955-1961.
From 1961-1966, Fr. Hoffman served as principal of Griffin High School in Springfield, before serving from 1966-1969 as administrator of St. Joseph Church in Manteno.
In 1969, he retired to the Viatorian House in Arlington Heights, where he resided until his death.
Fr. Hoffman’s funeral Mass was celebrated Oct. 16 by the Rev. Edward C. Anderson, CSV, provincial, at St. Patrick Church in Kankakee. Bishop Romeo Blanchette of Joliet presided and gave the final absolution. The homily was delivered by the Rev. Emmett Walsh, CSV.
Fr. Hoffman was laid to rest in the Viatorian plot at Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary Cemetery in Bourbonnais.
Compiled from obituaries published in the Kankakee Daily Journal, the Catholic News Register and the New World, Oct. 1972