Edward J. Hofstra

U.S. Navy retired Capt. Edward J. Hofstra Jr., 78, Valley Falls, died Saturday, June 17, 2006, at St. Francis Hospital in Topeka following a heart attack.
His 30-year military career included enlistment during World War II, surviving a crash landing behind enemy lines in Korea and flying missions in Vietnam as the commander of the VA 72 Blue Hawks.
He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and numerous other air medals. His last duty assignment was at the Pentagon in the Department of Deputy Chief of Naval Operations, Air Warfare.
Upon his retirement, he purchased a farm near Valley Falls and became a member of Calvary Baptist Church. He was a member of the Flying Midshipmen Association.
He was born on Oct. 11, 1927, at Leavenworth, the son of Edward J. Hofstra Sr. and Mary Katherine Wandmaker Hofstra. He graduated from Leavenworth High School in 1945 and the University of Kansas in 1958.
He married Jo Ann Zink (LHS Class of 1952) on June 2, 1957, at Leavenworth.
Survivors include his wife, Jo Ann, of the home; a son, Nathan Hofstra, Ozawkie; two daughters, Marilee Gordinier, Ozawkie, and Becky Crouch, Independence, Mo.; a sister, Marianna Spain, Leavenworth; eight grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be at 1 p.m. Tuesday, June 20, 2006, at Calvary Baptist Church in Valley Falls. Burial with military honors will be at 3 p.m. at Sunset Memory Gardens in Leavenworth. Visitation will be from noon until service time Tuesday at the church. Memorial contributions may be made to Jefferson County District 11 EMS and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, 810 Broadway, Valley Falls, KS 66088. Online condolences are available at http://www.mercerfuneralhomes.com/fh/obituaries/tributes.cfm?o_id=47055&fh_id=10579.