Mark James Hoffman helped to save Virginia B. Lindenmuth from drowning, Catawissa, Pennsylvania, August 14, 2014. Lindenmuth, 79, was in the front passenger seat of a car parked by a lake in a private campground when the vehicle started to roll down the bank toward the lake. From nearby, Hoffman, 50, ran to the car as it was moving and crawled into it through the opened window of the driver’s door. The car entered the lake and began to fill with water as it drifted to a point about 100 feet from the bank, where the lake was about nine feet deep. After Hoffman released Lindenmuth’s safety belt, she held to him about the neck as he maneuvered through the window, pulling her. Requiring repeated attempts, during which he surfaced for air, Hoffman pulled Lindenmuth through the window and took her to the surface of the water. She was unconscious by then, and the car was completely submerged. Holding to her by an arm, Hoffman started to swim back to the bank and about halfway there was met by a woman who took Lindenmuth farther in. Others joined in removing her from the lake. Hoffman followed, nearly exhausted. Revived at the scene, Lindenmuth was taken to the hospital, where she died several hours later. Hoffman bruised a knee.
86794-9786Obituary
Mark James Hoffman, 56 of Mahanoy City, Pa., formerly of Aristes, Pa., passed away Thursday evening September 3, 2020 at Cedar Crest Hospital, Allentown, Pa.
Born June 23, 1964 in Ashland Pa., he was the son of the late Vincent A. Hoffman and Margaret Hoffman Lewullis and William Charles Lewullis, Sr.
Mark was a 1982 graduate of North Schuylkill Jr. Sr. High School, Fountain Springs, Pa. He was an outstanding athlete in wrestling, football and track. He was captain of the wrestling and football teams in his senior year, and was a District and Regional wrestling champion.
In 2014 he was the recipient of the Carnegie Hero Medal, given to those who risk their life to an extraordinary degree while saving or attempting to save the lives of others.
He was formerly employed at Goulds Pump, Ashland and Pleasant Valley Homes in Pine Grove, Pa.
He was known as a great practical joker and truly enjoyed spending time with his partner Mim Benjamin, at home and camping, along with their dogs Bo, Daisy and Gracie. Mark was an avid Bears and Flyers fan and loved playing the drums.
He was preceded in death by his father Vincent A. Hoffman, paternal grandparents John and Melissa Hoffman and William J. Lewullis and Alberta Lewullis-MacAskill, maternal grandparents John and Mary Sebastian. He is survived by his parents Margaret and William Lewullis, Sr., Aristes Companion Mim Benjamin, Mahanoy City, Siblings, Vera Hoffman-Bucher, Mt. Carmel John Hoffman, Mt. Carmel ,Vincent Hoffman, Alabama, Kathy Lewullis-Petrus, Mountain Top ,William Lewullis, Jr. York, Karen Lewullis-Slotterback, Mt. Carmel, Christopher Lewullis, Tennessee, several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and too many friends to mention.
Services will be held at the convenience of the family. Kull-Heizenroth Funeral Home, Ashland is in charge of arrangements. Charles Heizenroth III, Supervisor.
(Edited from obituary published by Heizenroth Family Funeral Homes.)