Joseph G. Hofer, age 86, of 50 Ohio Ave. SW, Huron, died Thursday, September 29, 2005, at the Huron Regional Medical Center. His funeral service will be at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 3, at the Welter Funeral Home with Rev. Dale Sattgast officiating. Burial will be at Restlawn Memory Gardens Cemetery. Friends may call Sunday afternoon and evening and Monday morning until time of service at the funeral home. The family will be present from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon at the funeral home. Joseph G. Hofer was born on December 15, 1918, to Jake and Anna Hofer at Freeman, SD. He grew up in Freeman and later moved to Beadle County. He was employed as a conductor and brakeman for the Chicago Northwestern Railroad for 43 years. He retired in 1982. He was a member of the United Transportation Union (UTT). He was baptized and attended Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. On July 5, 1952, Joe married Elaine and they lived all of their married life in Huron. Joe is survived by his wife, Elaine of Huron; 3 sons, James (Karla) Hofer of Mitchell, SD, Shane (Cheryl) Hofer of Plano, TX, and Kyle (Brynn) Hofer of Leawood, KS; 6 grandchildren, John (Beth) Hofer of Bonner Springs, KS, James Basil Hofer of Las Vegas, NV, Joey (Jodi) Hofer of Mitchell, SD, Brandon Hofer of Plano, TX, Brittany Hofer of Plano, TX, and Emma Hofer of Leawood, KS; 4 great grandchildren, Brock Hofer and Ty Hofer, both of Bonner Springs, KS, Kiesha Hofer and Keira Hofer, both of Mitchell, SD; 1 brother, David F. (Loraine) Hofer of Rapid City, SD; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; 3 brothers, Jake Hofer, Paul Hofer, and John Hofer; and 2 sisters, Mary (Ed) Decker, and Ann (Les) Decker.