Silas Hofmann Chariton

Silas S. Hofmann Jr., 84, of Chariton died Dec. 27, 2014, at Chariton Nursing and Rehab Center.

Services were 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 3, 2015, at Fielding Funeral Home in Chariton. The Rev. Paul Olson officiated. Interment was in Chariton Cemetery following services. Memorials may be directed to the First Baptist Church, Chariton, or Mosaic. Condolences may be sent to 1012 Hillcrest Ave, Chariton, IA 50049. Online condolences may be left at wwwfieldingfuneralhomes.com.

Silas S. Hofmann Jr., son of Silas S. and Hannah B. Hofmann Sr., was born Aug. 17, 1930, near Morton, Ill.

Si grew up in the New Castle area, graduating from Deer Creek High School in 1948.

On Sept. 2, 1951, Si married Thelma Mae Knecht in Eureka, Ill.

For the first 10 years of their marriage, Si drove a truck for Ed Pyles and Chipper Cartage. In 1962, he began his farming career near Gridley, Ill.

In 1964 at 34 years of age, Si bought his first farm, moving his wife and growing family from Gridley to Humeston, Iowa. His farming operation included livestock, dairy, and crops.

In 1998, Si sold the buildings with a portion of the farm and moved to Chariton, continuing to work the family farm for the next decade.

Si is survived by his wife Thelma of Chariton; children, Steve (Nancy) of Lamoni, Carl of Kellerton, Christine of Chariton, Fred (Sheila) of Blue Rapids, Kan., Kathleen (Dennis McIntire) of Lamoni, Ron (Micki) of Humeston and John (Cindi) of Humeston; 15 grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and sister Lorraine (Herbert Weier) of Ft. Wayne, Ind.

Si was preceded in death by his parents; infant son Michael David in 1957; son Daniel Keith in 2000; and sister-in-law Janet Knecht in February 2014.