Hoefer Elver

Rev. Elver H. Hoefer, 90, of Sulphur, Louisiana passed away Tuesday May 9, 2017 in Sulphur. 

Rev. Hoefer was born in Chicago, IL, April 6, 1927 to Rev. Martin C. Hoefer and Elvera Mahlandt Hoefer.  He was raised in Chicago and South Bend IN, where he graduated from South Bend Central High School in 1945 (and where the legendary basketball coach John Wooden was his Physical Education teacher).  He earned his Bachelor’s Degree at Elmhurst College and received his ministerial training at Eden Seminary in St.Louis. 

He began his career as a minister in Chicago in 1951 serving at several churches.  While at Peace Memorial Church in Chicago in the late 50s his mother introduced him to a pretty young Swiss nurse named Yvonne Waelty, who worked at the hospital where she volunteered. Elvera’s matchmaking skills were keen, as Elver and Yvonne married January 7, 1961 at Peace Memorial. 

On June 20, 1962, the young couple welcomed a son, Daniel J. Hoefer.  A second son followed a little more than a year later, Thomas M. Hoefer. Thomas was born in Fraser, Michigan, where Rev. Hoefer had taken a new minister’s position in 1963.

The family moved to a new church in Evansville, IL in 1968. During this time Rev. Hoefer studied Pastoral Counseling at Eden Seminary and earned his doctorate degree.

The new field of study marked the beginning of a second career in mental health counseling, mostly for the State of Illinois in Salem, Illinois where the family moved in 1972.  Rev. Hoefer was widely known in the area for his skills in assisting residents with mental illness, emotional distress and substance abuse issues.

He continued his ministerial work on a part-time basis at Central Christian Church in Salem for many years. 

After Rev. Hoefer’s retirement and the boys were grown, the couple moved to Mimbres, New Mexico to live in the high desert mountains.  In 2007, with health concerns encroaching, they moved for the final time to Sulphur where Thomas lives.

Throughout his life, Rev. Hoefer enjoyed traveling to many exotic and historic locations across the world.  He visited five continents and particularly enjoyed Greece, Bali and Ethiopia.  He collected oriental rugs, art and antiques from around the world, especially religious pieces.  He loved to watch sports and saw his beloved Cubs win the World Series before his death.

He was preceded in death by his wife of 54 years, Yvonne, in 2015.

Those left include his sons Daniel Hoefer (Rebecca Murphy) of Marietta GA and Thomas (Kaye Billeaudeaux) of Sulphur, LA, a sister, Marie Bade of Pottstown, PA and three grandchildren, Sarah Hoefer, of Gold Canyon, AZ, Marianne Hoefer and Patrick Hoefer of Marietta, GA.

Visitation will be from 4-6pm Friday, May 12 at First Christian Church in Lake Charles, LA with funeral services to follow at 6:30pm.  Burial will be in St Paul’s Churchyard in St. Louis, Mo with graveside services at 11am Monday, May 15 at the cemetery.