John W. Hodgkin

He was born July 29, 1947 in Indianapolis, IN, a son of the late Floyd and Margaret Cooney Hodgkin.

John was a veteran of the US military serving in the Navy from 1964-68 and the Army 173rd Airborne Brigade 75th Rangers from 1968-74. During that time, he received several medals. From the Army he was awarded a Bronze Service Star, Army National Defense Service, Army Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, Gallantry Cross, Civil Actions Honor, and Combat Action Ribbon with Jump Wings. From the Navy he earned a Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, Republic of Vietnam Campaign and National Defense Service Medal.

For many years John worked as a CNC machinist at Premium Tool and Die and Randolph Machinery and was a truck driver for Schnieder. In retirement he drove for CARTS, Carrier Coach and Corvis and also built and fixed computers.

John was an avid outdoorsman who loved nature, camping, and boating. He had many hobbies including communicating on Ham Radio in which he recently completed a course to receive an FCC technical license. He was also a history buff and loved teaching people about it. John was a very spiritual person who loved helping others. He was a wonderful storyteller, and great writer of poetry, and enjoyed topography (great with maps), target shooting, chemistry, and building computers. He was a talented artist who created many paintings. John loved his cats and his friends, especially the Sheehan family who he considered brothers and sisters, and they reciprocated.

He was a member of Carroll Rod and Gun Club, Lakewood Rod and Gun Club, and the Samuel Derby Post 556 American Legion, Frewsburg.

Surviving are eight children: Patrick Hodgkin, Somerly Ann Mathews, Michael W. Hodgkin, Jayme Mathews, Meghan Lee Hodgkin, Shannon K. Hodgkin, Garrett C. Hodgkin and Connor D. Hodgkin; 14 grandchildren; 14 great grandchildren; and his companion of many years Wendy Wilson.

He was preceded in death by his parents and a granddaughter, Kala May Hodgkin.

A celebration of life will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday Sept. 7, at Erlandson Overview Park, 465 Oak Hill Road, Frewsburg. If anyone would like to stay for food after the ceremony, please bring a dish to pass.

You may leave words of condolence at www.lindfuneralhome.com.