Philip “Bud” Matthew Hoefer, 85, went home to be with his Lord and Savior on December 18, 2013 at the home of his eldest son, Victor Hoefer, in Sunnyside, WA with his children at his side. Philip was born on May 30, 1928, in Elgin, Nebraska to Francis and Clara (Mannlein) Hoefer. He was one of eight siblings who survive him: sisters Margie Pierson, Germaine Davis, Joanne Walters, Carolyn Keller, Dorothy (Jerry) Webb-Sitka, Janice (Tony) Romo and one brother, Francis (Joann).
Philip married Jean (Tonnisen) in February of 1948 at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church in Hillsboro, Oregon. Together they raised their six children and farmed in Gaston, Oregon. They raised strawberries, blackcaps, prunes, walnuts and hazelnuts as well as wheat, eucalyptus and more. Philip was employed for 40+ years by Oregon Roses, Inc., in Hillsboro. He was a veteran of World War II and was proud of his service to our country.
Philip enjoyed his farm, his family and loved a good game of poker or dominoes. He and his wife, Jean, moved to Prosser in 1992 where they enjoyed living near their children, they especially enjoyed their evenings on the patio watching the sun set over the Yakima River.
Surviving Philip are his children, Victor (Nancy) Hoefer of Sunnyside, WA; Diana (Darell) Murray and Deb (Farrell) Bowden of Prosser, WA; Craig (Ellen) Hoefer of Pensacola, FL and Scott (Abby) Hoefer of Boise, ID. Philip was blessed with 24 grandchildren and 48 great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife, Jean, a son, Eugene, and a grandson, Christopher.
Philip’s family wishes to thank Orchard House Assisted Living Facility and Heartlinks Hospice for their kindness, encouragement and support in these last days of Dad’s life.
Those wishing to make a donation in memory of Philip might consider one of his favorite charities: Alzheimer's Foundation of America and the American Heart Association.
There will be a viewing at Prosser Funeral Home on Friday the 20th from 4:00-7:00 pm followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Prosser at 11:00 am. on Saturday the 21st.