Donna Kay Hoffman, 72, of Elkhart, Indiana, passed away unexpectedly at Elkhart General Hospital on Friday, August 22, 2025, at 10:27 a.m., following an accidental fall at her home.

She was born on February 13, 1953, in Clarksville, Tennessee, to the late Oscar W. and Bessie Mae (Smith) Heflin. Along with her parents, Donna was preceded in death by her brothers, Dale and Bruce Heflin, and sisters, Judy Heflin and Linda Rittenberry.

Donna is survived by her devoted husband and best friend, Norman Hoffman, Jr., with whom she shared a life of laughter, love, and steady companionship. She also leaves behind her cherished daughters, Angela K. (John) Schmidt of Osceola and Sharon (Bryan) Hoffman-Miller of Lexington, Kentucky; her brothers, Sidney (Joelen) Heflin of Goshen and Donald Ray (Linda) Heflin of Elkhart; and her grandchildren, Tyler and Austin Schmidt of Osceola, Nicholas (Susan) Hoffman of Lexington, along with the joy of her later years, her great-grandson, Kamari Hoffman. In addition, Donna will be remembered fondly by a host of extended family, good friends, and her loyal four-legged companion, Snickers, her mixed terrier, who rarely left her side.

Though she lived a life of simplicity, Donna's spirit was far from ordinary. She was a homemaker at heart, pouring her energy into her family and home, creating a place that was always filled with love, security, and, quite often, the sound of her unfiltered but always heartfelt words. Donna had a gift for speaking her mind plainly—never one to sugarcoat, yet her honesty was always grounded in love. Fiercely independent, she lived life on her own terms, and those who knew her best came to admire that unwavering strength.

Her family remembers her as a woman who valued authenticity over appearances, faithfulness over formality, and truth over pretense. She was a strong foundation for her loved ones, always ready with advice, encouragement, or a dose of well-timed humor.

Donna also had a playful side. She enjoyed online gaming and could often be found relaxing with her favorite shows, including Touched By An Angel and her beloved afternoon soap operas. A visit to the Blue Chip Casino was always a treat for her, where she could enjoy a little fun, laughter, and excitement. She found joy in life's small pleasures, and she shared that joy with others.

Although Donna requested cremation, her family invites friends and loved ones to an open house gathering at her residence on Sunday, October 12, 2025, from 12–4 p.m., to celebrate her life and the many memories she left behind. (Those needing the address are asked to kindly contact a family member.)

Donna Kay Hoffman will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend—a woman who gave much of herself to those she loved and who left this world with her independence, her strength, and her truth intact. Her family takes comfort in knowing her spirit lives on in the lives she touched, and she will be deeply missed.