Keith Hoeflinger

We brought two children into this world and struggled, as all parents do, to raise them. Then, when we saw the fruits of our labors rewarded beyond our wildest expectations with young men that were exemplars of humanity, one was taken from us earlier than anyone would wish.

Lawrence ‘Keith’ Lemons Hoeflinger came into the world on January 11, 1996 and departed on August 19, 2021 after a battle with cancer.  He leaves behind his mother (Rosie Lemons), father (Joe Hoeflinger), brother (Kyle Hoeflinger, CHS 2011), as well as many Hoeflinger cousins, aunts, and uncles in St Louis, Mo; and Lemons uncles, aunts, and cousins in Indiana and W. Virginia.

 Growing up he was a difficult toddler whose stubborn streak manifested itself in epic temper tantrums that resulted in rooms that were destroyed.  As a teenager those were the qualities that made him a steadfast friend and an avid rule follower.  His friends would use the fact that they were going to be with Keith to validate the legitimacy of their evening activities, and parents accepted that validation.   

 He graduated from Chelsea High School in 2014 and then attended Grand Valley State University.  He graduated from GVSU in December of 2017 with a bachelors in criminal justice and a minor in juvenile justice.  His goal was always to work with children early and steer them away from the justice system.  He took the opportunity after graduating to work for two summers in Italy teaching English at EDUCO summer camps where he met friends from around the world that he would hold dear to his heart until the end.  Between summers he would work a variety of jobs, mostly in childcare.

 Soccer was always a large part of his life. Starting at age five, he played, coached, and reffed for the Chelsea Soccer Club. He played a couple of years with the Dexter Soccer Club which resulted in uniting the two rival teams his senior year. He was always a fierce defender, became captain of the Chelsea High School soccer team, and played for the Grand Valley soccer club team.  A fund is being set up in his memory to benefit soccer in Chelsea. Contributions to:  https://gofund.me/6ebf202b

 Thank you to the support of the community and his wonderful team at the UofM Health Care System and Arbor Hospice. There are indeed angels walking this earth, and we’ve encountered many of them these past few months.  According to his wishes, a celebration of life is planned for Saturday, September 18, 2021 from 1:00-5:00 p.m. at Hudson Mills Metropark. Everyone is welcome to come and share their memories.   

Keith would say to all of his friends and family to live and love right now.  Now is all that we know we have.