Fred Hofheinz

Frederick Lewis Hofheinz Jr., 88, a beloved husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle and friend, died July 3, 2026, holding his wife’s hand until his last breath. His final days were spent surrounded by his loving extended family and friends, being showered with love, light and beautiful memories. Fred was born on December 29, 1937, in Richmond, Indiana, on the family’s kitchen table in the midst of what his mother recalled was a tremendous snow storm. Fred viewed his life as a great blessing, and saw each day as a gift. He was a humble man and was often heard saying, "I have been deeply blessed, far beyond what I have ever earned or deserved.” However, those who knew and loved him fervently agree he deserved every bit of it.

Fred’s childhood began during the Great Depression and continued through World War II, though he always remembered it as being a “magical childhood” and although his family was extremely poor, he described those years as joyful, interesting and educational. His family relocated from Richmond to Muncie, Indiana when he was 10 years old. Then, at the young age of just 13, he left home to enter Our Lady of the Lake Junior Seminary on the shore of Lake Wawasee to begin his studies for the Catholic Priesthood. After six years, he graduated and continued on to Mount St. Mary Major Seminary in Cincinnati where he completed an additional six years of philosophical and graduate theological study.

He was ordained to the Catholic Priesthood for the Diocese of Lafayette in 1963 and became the associate pastor at St. Bernard Church in Crawfordsville. In 1968 he came to be the founding director of the Wabash Newman Center and served as chaplain to the Catholic students at Wabash College and DePauw University, where he eventually met Sarah. Having found his greatest calling in life, Fred petitioned the Vatican for permission to resign his priesthood while remaining a Catholic in good standing; and his request was granted by Pope Paul VI in January, 1971.

On April 23, 1971 he married Sarah Margaret Smith of Birmingham, Michigan and began a loving and joyful 55 years of marriage that produced two deeply loved daughters, Megan Mara and Ryanne Rebecca.

On May 25, 1973, (ten years to the day after his ordination to the priesthood) Fred joined the staff of the Lilly Endowment as Program Director for Religion. During his 30 year service at the Endowment, he was responsible for more than $500 million in grants to religious agencies of nearly every faith. His two major responsibilities included directing the Endowment’s support for theological seminaries of all denominations in North America and supporting all grant making that directly impacted the Roman Catholic Church in the United States. Fred described his time at the Endowment as a most exciting and fulfilling career, and he was honored to serve for such a long time. In addition to his professional achievements, over the years he accomplished many academic successes. He earned his B.A. in Philosophy from the Athenaum of Ohio, a Master of Divinity from Mount St. Mary Seminary and a Masters of Arts in Liturgical Studies from the University of Notre Dame. He was also awarded four Honorary Doctorates, for which he was equally proud of.

During retirement, Fred and Sarah traveled throughout Europe and Asia. They spent 18 winters in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, during which time they drove throughout the country, meeting, talking with and buying from many native Mexican folk artists. In Mexico they acquired a massive, varied and magnificent Mexican folk art collection that they intend to gift to a local museum for the education and enjoyment of the people of Indiana.

Fred had a long, enjoyable, loving, successful and productive life. He always said that he did not fear death, but that he regretted leaving his deeply beloved Sarah alone without her long-time constant companion at her side, leaving an empty hole in the hearts of his daughters, and not surviving long enough to watch his amazing grandchildren fully grow in age, wisdom and grace. Fred’s role as husband, father and Pop Pop was by far his greatest, most important and satisfying purpose in life — he placed family above all else, always.

Fred is survived by his beautiful and deeply beloved wife, Sarah, of Indianapolis; his wonderful and adored daughters, Megan (Steve) Porterfield and Ryanne (Brett) Brenner, both of Carmel; his beloved and talented grandchildren, Evan, Brayden & Ellison Porterfield and Avery & Harper Brenner; his sisters Mary Helen Bink & Rebecca Hofheinz; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by his parents, Frederick Sr. & Mary Tucker Hofheinz and his brothers, David & Curtis.

Friends are invited to join Fred's family on Monday, August 10, 2026 for visitation at 1:00pm followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 2:00pm at Our Lady of Peace Chapel, 9001 Haverstick Road, Indianapolis. His cremains will be placed in the columbarium at Our Lady of Peace Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Fortune Academy, 5626 Lawton Loop E. Drive, Indianapolis 46216 or to Smile Train, 633 Third Avenue 9th Floor, NY, NY 10017