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Donald Kenneth Hoffheins (Sr.) died Friday May 16, 2008 at home in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the age of 80. Diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, he fought hard to maintain a normal lifestyle for the last 20 years. Born January 9, 1928 in Toledo, Ohio to Ernest and Mae (Wise) Hoffheins, he spent his childhood and early adult life in Ohio. Don left high school to join the military in 1945 and was discharged from the U.S. Navy at the end of World War II as a Seaman First Class. He moved to New Mexico in January 1957 to a ranch in the Manzano Mountains and spent most of his career with Sandia National Labs in Albuquerque. After establishing a good home for the family, Don returned to school to earn a High School Equivalency Certificate from the New Mexico Department of Education in April 1963. He retired September 1985 from Sandia Labs after 28 years of service. With the move to New Mexico Don started a small ranch where he thoroughly enjoyed raising Arabian horses. In his early family years he loved to hunt and after moving into Albuquerque he enjoyed square dancing with the whole family. In later years he loved to travel, especially in his motor home. He and his late wife Bonnie met a lot of friends when traveling with the Good Sam Club. They especially enjoyed traveling to Laughlin, Nevada for relaxation. Don was a member of Grange Lodge and the Chamber of Commerce in Bowling Green, Ohio and after moving to New Mexico he served in the secretary position for the Mountain Mustang Association. Don is survived by a sister, Betty Fortney (Aztec, NM), three children Connie (Albuquerque), Anne (Rio Rancho) and Don Jr. (a.k.a. Skip - Klamath Falls, Oregon), and four stepchildren, Greg Sillivan, Kevin Sillivan, Debbie Moratto and Monica Fuson. He is also survived by 11 grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held on Monday May 19, 2008 at 7:00 PM at Arms of Love Fellowship, 1700 Southern Blvd., Suite A, Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Daniels Family Funeral Services will provide cremation services and Don will be enniched at Gate of Heaven Cemetery next to his late wife, Bonnie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The American Lung Association.
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