Jeanette Margaret

Hoffer

A graveside service celebrating the life of Jeanette Margaret Hoffer, age 75, of Newark, will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Friday, November 13, at Lutheran Cemetery, Linnville Road in Heath.

Jeanette was born May 30, 1951, in Newark, Ohio, to the late Joseph and Helen (Shiplett) Nemeth. She passed away on Monday, November 9, 2026, at SharonBrooke Assisted Living.

Many considered Jeanette the best friend they ever had. She had a remarkable gift for making people feel welcome, valued, and understood. She loved hearing the latest news and stories, yet those who confided in her knew their trust would never be broken. Her quick wit, sense of humor, and ability to find laughter in nearly any situation made her a cherished friend to many. Even during her eight months at SharonBrooke, she quickly formed friendships with residents and staff who came to love her company.

Throughout her life, Jeanette worked a variety of jobs, including labor at Rockwell, as a beautician, as a video store clerk (a favorite stop for Dave because of the employee discount), and as a cleaner for the WillowBrooke B&B. She took particular pride in being a beautician, although her daughter might gently note that Jeanette's devotion to the Dorothy Hamill haircut occasionally had unintended consequences. She never completely retired from the profession and faithfully reminded family and friends to "check the back of your hair." Among her proudest work was delivering Meals on Wheels through LCAP, where she valued her coworkers, enjoyed the friendships she formed, and took great pride in serving clients throughout the community.

Jeanette believed deeply in personal growth and self-improvement. She spent many years in TOPS and found lasting support through Al-Anon and ACoA. The principles of acceptance, boundaries, personal responsibility, and recovery became important parts of her life. She was an avid consumer of daytime talk shows, self-help programs, and conversations that encouraged people to grow, heal, and improve.

Her greatest joy was her daughter, Jeanette "Chelle" Compton. During Chelle's college years, Jeanette spent countless hours helping her study and prepare for exams; always an unconditional cheerleader

Though not much of a traveler herself, Jeanette proudly took to the skies in a two-person airplane piloted by Cousin Johnny, an adventure she enjoyed recounting for years.

She thought highly of her son-in-law, Rob, and often praised his willingness to help with projects large and small. Her grandsons, Bob and Trent, were among the greatest blessings of her life. She rarely missed one of their events and especially treasured gathering around the table to enjoy family meals prepared by their mother. A talented card giver, Jeanette made sure every birthday, holiday, and special occasion card included Snoopy. Her grandsons, nieces, nephews, and even her son-in-law came to expect Snoopy's appearance and would have considered a card incomplete without him.

Jeanette treasured family gatherings with the Hoffer and Shiplett families and always felt welcomed and included by the Adams family. She especially enjoyed the lifelong banter she shared with her brother, Joe. Family meals, holidays, reunions, and ordinary get-togethers were some of her happiest occasions.

Meals with friends were equally important. Whether meeting for breakfast, coffee, lunch, or dessert, Jeanette valued the fellowship around the table every bit as much as the food itself. She loved a good church breakfast, especially if it was homemade and reasonably priced. She had a deep appreciation for a good cup of coffee, a piece of dessert, and a BOGO special she could share with her beloved husband of 49 years.

Jeanette's love of food was legendary. She believed leftovers deserved a second chance and never left food behind. Family members still laugh about the time she carefully boxed up half of a stuffed mushroom to take home. She saved turkey bones for broth, kept a refrigerator full of ingredients destined for soup, and mined condiment packets instead of Bitcoin.

That same practical spirit extended to pizza. Jeanette always insisted on choosing her slices first, ensuring each piece provided exactly the right balance of toppings in every bite.

Jeanette inherited her love of gardening from her father and enjoyed tending flowers. She was also a competitive morel mushroom hunter. Inspired by her fashion hero, Aunt Jiggsy, Jeanette believed comfort and thrift never went out of style and loved finding a good bargain.

She was an enthusiastic collector of Longaberger baskets, many of which now comprise a significant portion of Chelle's inheritance.

Hallmark Channel and Turner Classic Movies were among her favorite companions, and daily schedules were often arranged around favorite programs. She sang Christmas carols year-round, regardless of season or public opinion. She talked to her cats as though they were people and fully expected them to understand what she meant.

Jeanette approached games with enthusiasm and creativity. Rummikub often featured modified rules, and she was a fierce pinochle player. During games of Scrabble with her husband, family members learned that if the score became too lopsided, he might suddenly declare an "earthquake" and tip the board, resetting the competition.

Her family will forever smile at the memory of her favorite expressions: "It was deeeliciousss," "Maybe later," and "We'll see about that."

Jeanette is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Jeanette "Chelle" and Rob Compton of Granville; grandsons, Bob Compton and Trent Compton; brother, Joe Nemeth; beloved cat, Cheddar; nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a wide circle of cherished friends.

Memorial contributions may be made to LCAP MOW, 1058 East Main Street, Newark, OH 43055.

Criss Wagner Hoskinson Funeral Home is honored to care for Jeanette and her family.

The family acknowledges that Jeanette's life was far too full of stories, friendships, traditions, and people to fit neatly into a single obituary. If a favorite memory or even a beloved person was unintentionally omitted, please extend grace to her daughter, who assembled this obituary using much the same strategy she once applied to college papers: with sincere effort and a rapidly approaching deadline.