Vinita Evelyn Hoffman, 85, died January 7, 2014, at her home in Sun City, Arizona. She was born March 28, 1928, in Wichita, the daughter of Howard and Garnett (Evans) Hood. She was a resident of Sun City, Arizona, formerly of Hutchinson and Wichita. Vinita graduated from Wichita East High School in 1946, undergraduate from Wichita State University in 1950, and obtained her Master's of Education from Wichita State University. She also took courses at Emporia State University and Kansas State University. Vinita taught in Wichita and Hutchinson schools for thirty-eight and a half years.

Vinita was a member of Plano Baptist Church and the First Congregational Church. She was active in the local, state, and national NEA, Delta Kappa Gamma, Kappa Delta Pi, Pi Sigma Alpha, Phi Alpha Theta, Gamma Phi Beta and the Association for Childhood Education International.

On October 3, 1952, she married Harold G. Hoffman in Hutchinson. He passed away December 18, 2007.

Vinita is survived by: son, Mike Hoffman, of Hutchinson; and sister, Jo Shartzer, of Wichita.

She was preceded in death by her parents, stepmother, Neva Hood, brother-in-law, Lee Shartzer, and stepbrother, Kenny Law.

Graveside service will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, January 16, 2014, in Wichita Park Cemetery, Wichita, with Pastor Matt Stafford officiating. The casket will remain closed. Friends may sign the book from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Wednesday at Elliott Mortuary, Hutchinson. Memorials may be made to Hutchinson Public Library, Hospice of Reno County, or ACEI (Association of Childhood Education International), all in care of Elliott Mortuary, 1219 North Main, Hutchinson, Ks 67501.