Floyd Hojara

Floyd Hojara, age 91 years of Niles, Michigan, husband, father, grandfather, homebuilder, trader, and Volkswagen tinkerer died peacefully at 4:01 p.m. on Monday, September 28, 2020 at Buchanan Meadows following an extended illness.

He was born on June 14, 1929 in Cassopolis, Michigan to Stanley “Steve” and Anna (Maleck) Hojara, and attended Niles Community Schools.  He was employed for more than thirty-seven years on the production line at the former Niles plant of Tyler Refrigeration Corporation.  He has lived in Niles most of his life.

Floyd enjoyed carpentry and had built several houses including his family’s cabin near Ludington, Michigan where he also enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He was known to tinker in his garage and was also known to buy and sell items – although his collection indicated more buying than selling.  He was interested in Volkswagens including all models from the Karmann Ghia through the Bus and was quite proficient at making repairs to upgrade the value of the vehicles between the buying and selling.  In his most productive year he purchased sixteen Volkswagens, but didn’t sell all of them.

On August 12, 1950 in Niles he married the former Carol L. “Sally” Green with whom he celebrated last month the remarkable Seventieth Anniversary of their wedding.  Floyd was preceded in death by his parents and by his siblings, Ed, Hank, Vic, Erv, Clem, Evelyn, and Rose.

Surviving family includes his wife, Sally Hojara and their children, Linda Aldrich of Sebring, Florida, Ron (& Margie) Hojara of Niles, and Bruce Hojara of Grand Rapids, Michigan; grandchildren Corby Aldrich and Brad (& Kari) Hojara; great-grandchildren Alex and Graham; and many nieces and nephews.

The family of Floyd Hojara is gathering privately to honor his life and share memories.  Interment will also be private at Silverbrook Cemetery in Niles.  Contributions in memory of Floyd may be made to The Salvation Army of Niles, 424 North Fifteenth Street, Niles, Michigan, 49120; https://centralusa.salvationarmy.org/niles/ .  Online condolences may be left at:

www.halbritterwickens.com

Floyd led a quiet life as a dependable longtime employee, an evening and weekend housebuilder, and making Volkswagens usable again.  All worthy, productive endeavors appreciated by his employer, those receiving shelter and transportation, and most pleasing to his family and his wife.