GOLD HILL – Donald Lee Hoffner, 72, of Gold Hill, died Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2007, at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center, Winston-Salem. He had been in declining health for two years and seriously ill for four weeks.

Mr. Hoffner was born July 6, 1934, in Rowan County, a son of the late Johnnie Mack Hoffner and Lottie “Lucille” Basinger Hoffner. He was educated in the Rowan County schools and attended Rockwell High School.

Mr. Hoffner was a veteran of the United States Navy and served during the Korean War. He retired from the North Carolina Department of Corrections, where he worked as a Correctional Officer in Mount Pleasant.

Mr. Hoffner was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, a life member of Rockwell Amvets Post 845 and a member of the North Carolina Law Enforcement Association.

Mr. Hoffner is survived by his wife, Betty Jacobs Hoffner; son Jamie Hoffner and wife Bonnie of Gold Hill; granddaughter Wendy Eller and husband David; great-granddaughter Katelyn Eller of Gold Hill; and sisters Betty Jean Holshouser of Rockwell and Hilda Ann Morgan of Gold Hill.

Mr. Hoffner was preceded in death by a sister, Martha Jo Almond.

Service: 11 a.m. Friday at Immanuel Lutheran Church, Rockwell, with the Rev. Bruce Sheets officiating. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Visitation: Visitation will be tonight from 7-8:30 at Powles Funeral Home and at the residence the remainder of the time.

Memorials: Immanuel Lutheran Church, Memorial Fund, 2070 Emanuel Church Road, Rockwell NC, 28138.

Online condolences may be made at www.powlesfuneralhome.com