Mary Lou Hoffman

b. 24 May 1928
  • Mary Lou Hoffman was born on 24 May 1928 in New York.
  • John Kammerer Hoffman and Dorothy A. Melcher appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1930 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York, at 2761 Lockport Street. Other members of the household included Mary Lou Hoffman, John J. Hoffman and Geraldine F. Hoffman.
  • Albert John Hoffman and Helen Kammerer appeared in the US federal census of 1 April 1940 in Niagara, Niagara County, New York, at 2902 Lockport Road. Other members of the household included Mary Lou Hoffman, John Kammerer Hoffman, Dorothy A. Melcher, John J. Hoffman, Geraldine F. Hoffman and Donald Robert Hoffman.
  • The following appeared on 3 February 1950 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mr. and Mrs. John K. Hoffman, Colonial Village, Lewiston, announce the engagement of their daughter, Mary Lou, to Mr. Donald G. Bird, son of Mrs. Alice Bird, 817 Third street, this city.
         The wedding will take place in the fall.
  • She married Donald G. Bird, son of David Bird and Alice Murphy, on 16 September 1950 in Niagara Falls, Niagara County, New York.
  • The following appeared on 18 September 1950 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: The marriage of Miss Mary Lou Hoffman, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John K. Hoffman, Colonial Village, Lewiston, to Mr. Donald G. Bird, son of Mrs. Alice Bird, Third street, and the late David Bird, was solemnized this morning at 11 o'clock at St. Mary's of the Cataract church rectory. The Rev. Patrick J. O'Dwyer officiated at the double ring ceremony.
         For her wedding the bride chose a gown of white skinner bridal satin fashioned with a Grecian bodice which was enhanced with applique bugle beads. The bride's veil of french silk illusion was edged with Chantilly lace and was attached to a tiara of orange blossoms. She carried a colonial bouquet of white roses and pompons.
         Mrs. John Morrison was matron of honor and Mr. Robert Rosa was best man.
         The bride's mother wore a hunter's green dress with toast color accessories and a corsage of yellow roses. The bridegroom's mother chose a navy blue crepe dress with matching accessories and corsage of pink roses.
         After the ceremony a luncheon was swerved for the immediate family at the Red Coach inn. A reception this afternoon will be attended by approximately 200 guests.
         For traveling the bride will wear a cinnamon color suit with a gold colored topper and hunter green accessories and corsage of yellow roses. After a motor trip to Virginia, Mr. and Mrs. Bird will reside at 127 Fourth Street.
  • Mary Lou Hoffman became a widow at the 18 July 1961 death of her husband Donald G. Bird.
  • The following appeared on 19 July 1961 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Two golfers, taking shelter under a tree at Hyde Park Golf Course from a severe electrical storm that developed suddenly Tuesday afternoon, were killed when they were struck by a bolt of lightning.
         Dead are:
         Donald G. Bird, 34, of 515 70th St.
         Robert H. Taylor, 30, of 479 Town Line Road, Sanborn.
         The two, both representatives of the Nationwide Life Insurance Co., were playing on the seventh fairway of the golf course when the storm hit shortly after 2 p.m.
         Police said the pair, who played frequently at the course, took shelter from the rain under a tree on the south side of the fairway about 50 yards from the seventh green, and near the west branch of Gill Creek. . . . The two golfers were pronounced dead on arrival at Mt. St. Mary's Hospital. . . .
         Mr. Bird is a native of this city and saw service with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1946 to 1948. He was local manager of the Nationwide Insurance Co. and previously was with the Prudential Insurance Co. for nine years.
         He was a member of the Niagara Falls Junior Chamber of Commerce and the Life Underwriters Association.
         Surviving are his wife, Mrs. Mary Lou Bird; three young daughters, Laurie J., Lynn A. and Sandra L. Bird; his mother, Mrs. Alice M. Bird, this city; two brothers, Richard J. Bird, this city, and Edward Bird, Maywood, Calif; and two sisters, Mrs. Mary L. Learn and Mrs. Joan Kralick, this city.
         Services will be held at the Otto Redanz Funeral Home at 8:30 a.m. Friday and at the Prince of Peace Church at 9 a.m. with burial in Gate of Heaven Cemetery.
  • She married Erwin Daniel Lanphear, son of Linford D. Lanphear and Mary L. Waldorf, on 30 August 1963.
  • The following appeared on 16 May 1964 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Niagara County Transcripts. March 24, 1964. Deeds. Lester C. Ziemendorf to Erwin D. and Mary Lou Hoffman Lanphere, Wheatfield.
  • The following appeared on 4 September 1966 in The Niagara Falls Gazette: Mrs. Dan Lanphear, 4656 Apple Drive, Lewiston, will be hostess at a party today from 2 to 5 p.m. honoring her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Hoffman, on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary.
         Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman, former residents of Colonial Village, now make their home in Ashtabula, Ohio, where Mr. Hoffman was transferred by Union Carbide Corp. He is now retired since Jan. 1 after 34 years with the corporation.
         Present at the party will be the couple's other three children, Mrs. Ronald Bement, North Tonawanda; Donald Hoffman, Parkersburg, W. Va; and John Hoffman, and six granddaughters.
         Since retirement, Mr. and Mrs. Hoffman have traveled extensively through the United States with a travel trailer.
  • Mary Lou Hoffman became a widow at the 17 January 2010 death of her husband Erwin Daniel Lanphear.
  • The following appeared on 20 January 2010 in The Buffalo News: [Died] Erwin Daniel Lanphear, of Youngstown N.Y., January 17, 2010, age 88. Husband of Mary Lou (Hoffman) Bird Lanphear; father of Lynn (Linda) Lanphear, Danny (Donna) Lanphear, Suzanne Kim (Pete) Burrows, Laurie (Duane) Murray, Lynn (Fred) Wier and Sandy Hays (John) Mies; brother of Norma (late Glenn) Guinnip, Audrey (late Ken) Hall and the late Alton Lanphear and Dorla (late Leroy) Gebhardt; also survived by 17 grandchildren, 12 great-grandchildren, one great-great-grandchild and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Friday, January 22nd, at 11:00 AM from the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown, Main & Church Sts. No prior visitation. In lieu of flowers, memorials to Mt. St. Mary's Hospital, Health Center Foundation, 5300 Military Rd., Lewiston N.Y., 14092. Arrangements by the Hardison Funeral Homes, Inc., Lewiston NY.
  • Last Edited: 1 May 2015

Family 1: Donald G. Bird d. 18 July 1961

Family 2: Erwin Daniel Lanphear b. 30 June 1921, d. 17 January 2010