After a long life of riding, photographing, and watching trains, Calvin Earnest Hoffer, age 81, boarded a steam train destined for heaven, and completed his journey on November 6, 2021. Born on August 13, 1940, in Toledo, Ohio, Calvin had a life-long love of steam trains that took him on excursions throughout the United States. Along with him as travel companions were his wife, Karen, and his three children, Gretchen, Matthew, and Jennifer. When he wasn't attending train shows, working on model trains, or "chasing" some of the famous locomotives of years past, Dad worked hard to provide for his family. A graduate of the University of Toledo, he worked for Toledo Edison, eventually becoming a Reactor Operator at the Davis Besse Nuclear Power Station, from which he retired in 1993. Not yet completely ready for the retirement life, Dad then worked for the former Medical College of Ohio (MCO) as a Stationery Engineer, until 2002. Many of Dad's happiest times were spent attending the National Thresher's Association's Annual Reunion in Wauseon, Ohio each summer. This event has been part of Dad's life since he was a child, when his parents led the organization. As kids, we enjoyed exploring the infield threshers, walking around the fairground vendors, and sitting in the grandstand to hear the noon whistle. Dad's faith was always important to him, too, and he has been a member of Zion Lutheran Church (Latcha) for over 40 years. He enjoyed being part of church council, building and installing tables for the bell choir, and arranging flowers on the altar for Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost celebrations. He loved worship services, and watching his children and grandchildren as they sang, read the scriptures, directed choir, preached, and played the bells. We all stayed by his side until his train pulled out of the station. Sending him off with love were his wife of 54 years, Karen Hoffer (Tholl), Gretchen (Mike) Densic, Matthew (Beth) Hoffer, and Jennifer (Duane) Heinze, as well as siblings Philip Hoffer and Marjorie Piwowar. Waving their Papa on were his grandchildren, Lauren (Hans) Schober, Joel (Abby) Densic, Jessica Densic, Sam and Nate Heinze, and Alexandra and Isaac Hoffer. Dad also had a special love for his two great grandchildren, Julia and Jonathan Schober. He was preceded in death by his parents, Earnest and Ilva Hoffer, sisters Joann and Arlene, and brother, Dennis. We know they were waiting at heaven's station to welcome him there. Visitation for Calvin will take place at Eggleston Meinert & Pavley Funeral Home, Millbury Chapel, 1111 Woodville Road (east of I-280) Tuesday, November 9, 2021 from 2:00 pm – 8:00 pm. Funeral services 10:30 am Wednesday, November 10, 2021 , at Zion Lutheran Church 26535 Pemberville Road, Perrysburg , with visitation there beginning at 10am. Interment will take place at Clay Township Cemetery, with a luncheon to follow at the church. Memorial Contributions may be offered in Calvin's name to Hospice of Northwest Ohio or the Parkinson's Foundation. Family would like to thank the staff at Genoa Retirement Village (Emily, Joyce, Jessica, Susan, Annie, and Rian), and the amazing staff at Hospice of Northwest Ohio (Wendy, Gabby, Lindsay, Mel, Tracy, Tami, and Mark) for their compassionate care, support, and help during Dad's final weeks. Without you, we would have been lost. Dad's last several years were spent fighting and coping with Parkinson's disease, which robbed him of the things he enjoyed doing most – working on his trains, fixing what needed to be fixed around the house, reading, and tinkering with projects down in his basement. We know Dad is now whole again, and back to doing what he loves. We can't wait to see the model train display he is building in heaven