Rufus Hofelt
Rufus Hofelt passed away peacefully on October 14, 2024 due to complications from pneumonia and dementia. He was born September 29, 1938 to Rev. Dr. William Rufus and Ruth Jones Hofelt in Waynesburg, Pennsylvania.
Rufus graduated from Waynesburg College where he met his future wife, Sally Ann Ricketts. The two were married in Westfield, NY on June 20, 1964. They moved to Rockville, Maryland so Rufus could attend seminary but eventually decided that social work was his path in life. Rufus began as a juvenile probation officer for the State of Maryland in Montgomery County. In 1973, they decided to escape city life, and built a home in rural Sharpsburg, Maryland. Later, Rufus transferred to the Frederick County offices where he worked until his retirement in 2000.
Rufus and Sally enjoyed retirement together by visiting family, watching grandkids’ sporting and school events, and going on outings to search for items to add to their collections. For many years, they delighted in hosting their extended family for fun-filled Memorial Day weekends. Rufus loved working in the yard, tinkering with model trains, playing with his grandkids, visiting Nutter’s for coffee ice cream, and making his grandkids laugh with his antics that often got him in trouble with Sally. Rufus had a contagious laugh and silly demeanor that lit up any room he walked in. He never took offense to any comments made to him-he would just laugh and continue on.
Sally became stricken with Alzheimer’s Disease and passed away in 2022, but Rufus remained her faithful steadfast caregiver throughout. His care and love for her was a blessing to Sally and his family. Rufus is survived by two children: Jennifer (Sam) Lofland of Springfield, PA and Nathan (Jennifer) Hofelt of Purcellville, VA; four grandchildren: Sarah, Joseph, Allie, and Noah; a sister Mary Eleanor Hanson (Heber) of Hudson, OH; a brother-in-law Richard Harner of Jamestown, NY; a sister-in-law Kathy Ricketts of Mayville, NY; and several nieces and nephews
A graveside service is being planned for a later date in Westfield, NY.
The family thanks the caregivers from Celebrations Villa and the Hospice of the Panhandle for their compassion and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, donations to your local hospice are suggested.
Online condolences may be offered at www.BrownFuneralHomesWV.com.