MENDOTA - David Lee Hof, 84, of Mendota, passed away July 8, 2021 in his home.

Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, July 14 at First United Methodist Church, Mendota with Rev. Mary Bohall officiating. Burial will be at Restland Memorial Gardens, Mendota with military honors by Mendota VFW Post 4079. Visitation will be from 9:30 a.m. until time of services at the church. Merritt Funeral Home, Mendota is handling the arrangements.

David was born Jan. 19, 1937 at the Harris Hospital, Mendota to Arthur and Alvina (Arndt) Hof. he married Earlene Klinefelter in January of 1958. They divorced in 2008.

Survivors include two sons, David (Deb Hagemann) Hof and Timothy (Carole Mabry) Hof; two grandchildren, Jerad (Tori Pennebaker) Hof and Rachel Hof; and a great-granddaughter, Adeline Bree Hof.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his older brother, George Hof in 1998.

David attended Lincoln Grade School and graduated from Mendota High School in 1955. After graduation, he and his cousin, Gail Sibigtroth joined the U.S. Army. They had hoped to serve together but soon found that was not to be. During his term of service, he was stationed in Iceland. David was employed at the A & P Egg Handling Station, Classon’s Super Market and Hof’s Sanitation. Dave and Earlene next opened a neighborhood grocery store, Dalene’s in the building now known as Ancare Veterinary in Mendota. They were approached by board members from Woodhaven Lakes Campground to open and manage a grocery store at the campground. This grew to include Dave managing a restaurant and bait shop as well. After retiring, he took over care of the parking lot of what is known as Sullivan’s Grocery Store. He enjoyed fishing at Lake Mendota and trout fishing in southern Illinois. After an early morning spent fishing, he would often be one of the early golfers at Mendota Golf Course. After his divorce, he renewed his friendship with a former neighborhood acquaintance, Jane Rabel. They enjoyed golfing together, traveling to visit his fishing friends and spending time with his Tennessee family. Dave was an active member of the American Legion and the Mendota Elks Lodge for many of his younger years and was a lifelong active member of First United Methodist Church.

Memorials may be directed to First United Methodist Church or Mendota Area Christian Food Pantry. Online condolences may be left at www.merrittfh.com.