Obituaries
John L. Hoag, 53
August 28, 1968 - July 16, 2022
John Lawrence Hoag, 53, of Lititz, passed away, Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Hershey Medical Center, following a brief illness. Born in Evansville, IN, he was the son of Dagmar (Wholert) Hoag and the late William L. Hoag. John was the loving husband of Najiba Benabess, with whom he celebrated 22 years of marriage.
A very talented artist, John attended Indiana University’s Herron School of Art, 1989-1991, received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Studio Art, 1994, at the University of Southern Indiana, Evansville, IN, and earned his Master of Fine Arts in Painting and Drawing, 1997 at The University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN.
During his distinguished career, he taught art at numerous universities, including the University of Notre Dame, South Bend, IN and taught as part of adjunct faculty for Indiana University; ITESM, Guadalajara, Mexico; Upper Iowa University, Milwaukee, WI; Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design, Milwaukee, WI; University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI; University of Wisconsin Washington County, West Bend, WI; University of Wisconsin, Waukesha, WI; Norwich University, Northfield, VT; and Millikin University, Decatur, IL. John also lectured across the country and globally. He was publicized numerous times in the Shepherd Express, Milwaukee, WI, Lancaster Daily Journal, Lancaster, OH, the Hammond Times, Hammond, IN, and Southern Indiana Review, Evansville, IN.
John earned many awards for his artistic talent including: Best Portrait – Art in the Round Barn, Warren, VT; Best of Show – Pastel and Charcoal on Paper, Beloit, WI; Award of Excellence – Oil on Canvas, Rhinelander, WI; Award of Excellence – Mixed Media on Paper, St. Louis Gallery; Merit Award – Painting, South Bend, IN; Award of Distinction – Painting, Northern Indiana Artist Association University Show; Best of Show – Drawing, 2nd Annual Northern Indiana Artist Association; 2nd Place – Painting, St. Francis College; Merit Award – Painting, Northern Indiana Artist Association; Award of Distinction – Drawing Excellence, Northern Indiana Artist Association; Best of Painting, Midwest Museum of American Art; Honorable Mention – Drawing, John G. Blank Center for Arts; Best of Drawing, Midwest Museum of American Art; Merit Award Drawing, University of Southern Indiana; Best of Show – Drawing, “East Meets West”, Evansville Museum, Evansville, IN; Merit Award – Drawing, University of Southern Indiana; Merit Award – Wood Sculpture, University of Southern Indiana; Best Printmaking Award, University of Southern Indiana; Best of Show – Drawing, University of Southern Indiana; and Dolphin Paper Award – Printmaking, Herron School of Art.
During his professional career, he installed relief sculptures, constructed lighting, fiber optics, and made repairs to the College Football Hall of Fame, South Bend, IN; and worked as a scenic artist in the making of “A League of Their Own”, starring Madonna, Tom Hanks, and Gena Davis.
John’s greatest love was his wife and family. In addition to his wife, Najiba and mother, Dagmar, he is survived by his loving sons: Cezanne, Elyas, and Nezar, all at home; and three brothers: Michael, Hanz, and Bali, all of Indiana.
A gathering to celebrate John’s life will be held from 10AM to 12PM, Saturday, July 30, 2022, at the Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home, 127 S. Broad St., Lititz, PA 17543. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in John’s memory be made to Mental Health America of Lancaster County, 245 Butler Avenue, Suite 204, Lancaster, PA 17601.
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Condolences to the Family
August 16, 2022
We are so sorry to hear of John’s passing, Najiba. Our thoughts and prayers are with you all. With love, your old neighbors in Forsyth.
August 05, 2022
Najiba, So sorry to hear of your husband’s passing. Peg and I will keep you and your family in our prayers.
July 30, 2022
I’m sorry to hear about John’s passing. It was nice to meet him and get to work with him recently. My deepest sympathy to you and your family and my prayers.
July 29, 2022
We are so sorry for your loss. Sending love, peace, and warm wishes for you all at this difficult time.
the Lidys Paul, Sarah, Dathan & Kinsley Lidy
Symon McReynolds
July 28, 2022
Najiba,
Najiba, Very sorry to learn of your husband’s passing. My condolences to you and your family.
In sympathy,
Randy Trostle
July 25, 2022
Najiba,
I am saddened to hear of your loss. My sincere condolences to you and your family.
Alex Vernon
July 22, 2022
I am saddened to hear of John’s passing. During the last few years John taught at Millikin University, he often told me stories of his adventures with his three sons, his devotion to his wife, Najiba, and his passionate pursuit of drawing and painting projects. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family during this painful time.
July 22, 2022
Najiba, I am so sorry for your loss. John was a wonderful collegue. We are all thinking of you. Stay strong.
July 21, 2022
Najiba, so sad to hear of the passing of your husband, John. I am currently and will be thinking of your family throughout this difficult time.
Jodi
July 21, 2022
John’s former colleagues at Millikin University mourn his passing, and extend heartfelt condolences to Najiba and the boys. We are grateful to have experienced his enormous talents as an artist and teacher. Blessings to all in this painful time.
Laura Ledford
July 21, 2022
I am so sorry to hear of John’s passing. He was a dedicated artist and teacher., and I enjoyed his passion for art while he teaching for us at Millikiun University.
My prayers and condolences to the family.
Sincerely,
Lyle J. Salmi
July 21, 2022
We have been overwhelmed with sadness to hear the loss of John Hoag, and would like to assure Najiba, Cezanne, Elyas and Nezar with all our affection and reconfort. We follow you with our prayers.
Jean-Claude Cheminand-Serré, Blandine, Sébastien, Alexandre and Antoine Calcio Gaudino
July 20, 2022
I am deeply sorry to hear about the passing of your husband and father. Elyas has been a dear friend to my son Justin who lost his father a little over a year ago. My heart breaks for your family. Sending you strength as you get through this difficult time.
Devin Redcay
July 20, 2022
We are sad to hear of John’s passing. We met him when in WIU. He was truly a great man, amazing artist and lovingly wonderful husband and father. He will be greatly missed. It was such an honor to have known John.
Sadek, Susie, Samir, Sabrine, and Saleem El Idrissi
July 20, 2022
So sorry to hear of the loss of John Lawrence Hoag. He was a true friend and like a brother. He will be missed greatly in the art community as well as by friends and family.
Mark Walden
- Visitation
- Saturday, July 30, 2022
- 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
- Spacht-Snyder Family Funeral Home
- 127 S. Broad St.
- Lititz, PA 17543
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