Ferdinand ‘Ferdy’ Hoefner, 93, Eicher Arts charter member, played with the Lancaster and Reading Pops symphonies

Ferdinand “Ferdy” Hoefner, 93, of Ephrata, died at Ephrata Manor on Aug. 4, 2017.

He is survived by his wife of 67 years: Katherine (Kay), and his children: The Reverend Lisa Jean Hoefner; Ferdinand Hoefner III, and his wife Diane Curran; Grace Ann Zbrzezny, and her husband Anthony; and George Hoefner, and his wife Annette. He is also survived by six grandchildren: Ariana Koniuto, Kara Lynn Zbrzezny, Nathan and Dietrich Hoefner, and Taylor and Camryn Hoefner; and two great-grandchildren: Brea and Emerson Koniuto.

Ferdy was born in Valley Stream, Long Island, in 1924 and served in the Merchant Marines from 1942 to 1945. He graduated from Valley Stream Central High School (1942), West Chester State Teachers College (1949), and later received his master’s degree from New York University.

He enjoyed a career as a music teacher and elementary school principal in Wantagh, N.Y., for 30 years. He played in dance bands throughout those years on Long Island and was active in Grace United Methodist Church in Valley Stream.

Ferdy retired to Ephrata in 1979, and played string bass in the Lancaster and Reading Pops symphonies for many years. He was chairman of the Ephrata centennial, a charter member of the Eicher Arts Center, and a member of the Ephrata Eberbach Committee. He was a guide and choir member at the Ephrata Cloister and also sang with the Heritage Chorale. He served as interim choir director at St. John’s Lutheran Church in Denver, at Bethany UCC in Ephrata, and at the Church of God in Lancaster. He sang in the choirs of First and Hope United Methodist churches. And he coordinated the local Music in the Schools program for several years.

A celebration of life was held Aug. 9 at Hope United Methodist Church, Ephrata, with Pastor Jim Bongard officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Hope United Methodist Church, 3474 Rothsville Road, Ephrata, PA 17522.

Arrangements by Stradling Funeral Homes, Inc., Akron/Ephrata. Online condolences can be given at stradlingfuneralhome.com.

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