Christopher James Shoff

Christopher James (Jim) Shoff was born on Oct. 29, 1924 in Boswell, PA, one of the two sons of the late Martin Luther Shoff and Effie Jane (Whiteside) Shoff. He was also predeceased by his older brother, William Donald Shoff and his wife Erma (Beener) Shoff. Growing up, he worked at his parents' grocery store. In 1944, he enlisted in the U.S. Army and was honorably discharged in 1946. He furthered his education at his beloved Penn State University, graduating with a degree in Electrical Engineering. After graduation, he moved to Laurel, MD to work at Westinghouse where he remained until his retirement. He loved photography, travel and computer technology and was a diehard Penn State football fan (Go Nittany Lions!) who did not want to hear about Virginia Tech.

After retirement and in his seventies, he decided he wanted to learn ballroom dancing which is where he met and later married the former Norma Rellosa of Silver Spring, MD and they settled in Laurel. He regularly went to the Laurel Senior Center for its gym and socials; dances at the Hollywood Ballroom, and they traveled. In 2016, The National WW II Museum certified Christopher James Shoff by unanimous vote to be entered into the Honor Roll of the National World War II Museum, New Orleans, LA, in appreciation for his support as a charter member of The National World War II Museum. The Honor Roll shall be maintained in perpetuity at the entrance to the museum and on their website. 

In the ensuing years, this elderly couple weathered their health challenges together, with help from kind, caring and generous neighbors, friends and acquaintances. Norma cared for him from stem to stern 24/7. Two weeks before his wife was hospitalized, he was admitted to Sterling Care Hillhaven assisted living under hospice care. Norma never recovered from surgery and died on April 15, 2026 at the age of 94 at Sterling Care. They were in the same room and she passed away while he was sleeping. The next day, people were extending their sympathies, but no one told Jim that she passed. We told him, gently, and we never want to see that happen to anyone again.

Jim passed away on May 23, 2026 at the age of 101 years.

Jim is survived by a stepdaughter, Monette Matish and her husband, Ted, of New Jersey, as well as his niece, Carol Blough and her good friend, Craig Hamilton, her children Wendy Hemminger and Kim Blough, and her grandchildren Clint Blough, Nicole Ankoski, Jarrod Blough and Cody Hemminger and their families, of Pennsylvania.

Cue the song: Two Sleepy People with Bob Hope and Shirley Ross