Norman M. Hoefler

Norman M. Hoefler, 84, of Austintown, passed away in Youngstown on June 15, 2024, from complications of a stroke. Born in Detroit, Michigan, to Matthias and Julia (Mick) Hoefler on December 3, 1939, he spent most of his life in Lake Milton, North Jackson, and Austintown, Ohio. 

Norman was a 1958 graduate of Jackson Milton High School, where he met the love of his life, Elizabeth “Jeanne” Smith. They married on June 24, 1961, and raised three children in their 60 years together. Norm loved keeping up with his family, traveling, history, the news, NASCAR, his Thunderbirds and Mustangs, and riding his lawn tractor. 

Norm trained briefly as an electrician before working for Rockwell International for 19 years. He was a Mahoning County Sheriff as well as one of Jackson Township’s first police constables (“Stormin’ Norman”). He worked for Lane Funeral Homes for over a decade, then turned to car sales and customer service with Fred Martin, Harvey, and Donnell Ford dealerships. He retired happily in 2005. 

Norman was preceded in death by his wife Jeanne (2021) , daughter Debbie (2017), and brother Joe (2014). He leaves his son Jeff (Joyce) Hoefler, of Berlin Center; daughter Cheryl (Clay) Leonard of Pittsburgh; his beloved grandchildren, Curt and Claire Leonard and Billy Soccorsy; and many nephews, nieces, and cousins. 

A private memorial service will be held in the fall at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Boardman. 

Arrangements for Mr. Hoefler are being provided by the Lane Funeral Home Austintown Chapel, 5797 Mahoning Ave., Austintown.