John Edward Tofell

John Edward Tofell, a resident of Klamath Falls, died March 3, 2026, at the age of 85. Funeral services will be at St. Pius X Catholic Church on Saturday, March 21, beginning with a Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 10:30 am, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 am.

John "Eddie" Tofell was born January 1941 to John and Erma Tofell in Merrill, Oregon. He grew up near Dairy Oregon, working on the family farm, milking cows and doing chores before and after school. He attended Bonanza Elementary and High School graduating in 1959. Shortly after he met Sharon Nork whom he married in 1960. They had a son Doug in 1961.

Eddie worked for his family farm on and off for several years. His friend, Les Scarbrough, told him he needed to come to the road shop for a job in 1963. He started out as a utility worker(laborer), working his way up to driving dump truck with Pete Peterson, operating the various types of heavy equipment, paving machines and snowplows and blowers. Eventually he was promoted to foreman, assistant superintendent and superintendent over the course of the 33 plus years working for the Klamath County Road Department. He became an exceptionally skilled operator of most types of earth moving and road construction equipment. He enjoyed sharing his skills and knowledge with other coworkers while training them to operate heavy machinery while working at the County Road Department and later while working for the local ODOT Maintenance shop. Prior to his retirement he worked as the maintenance man for St Pius X Church.

Once a farmer, always a farmer, Eddie would help out at his family's farm, plowing fields, cutting, baling and hauling hay and harvesting grain. Later, E.S & D, Inc was formed to pick up baled hay in the customer's field using a Freeman Roadsider, which placed the bales into an 8 ft x 8 ft, 7 tier high stack. These stacks were then placed into the customer's barn or loaded onto a flatbed semi-truck and trailer, using a Forklift with a custom-made squeeze in place of forks. Ever rooted in farming, he would take vacation in the fall to work for a friend "hauling spuds". Frequently, bringing home prized, for their shape or size, potatoes he had spotted.

Always willing to help others, he would assist family and friends with projects, making or repairing furniture, or vehicle repair. He would rarely pass by someone with car problems or stuck in the snow without offering to help. He assisted in field repairs for Little League and Babe Ruth during his son's time playing baseball. In the early 1980's he spent much of his free time doing all the earth moving needed in preparation of building the football field and adjacent parking lot on the OIT campus. He was especially proud of the time and effort he put into getting equipment donated and gathering friends, former coworkers and family to help operating the equipment for all of the earth moving needed during the construction of baseball, soccer, softball fields, ground work for the field houses and parking lots at Steens Sports Park. Having a baseball field named for him was a moment he was especially proud of.

Eddie loved spending time with his family, hunting, wood cutting, grandkids spending the night, going to school programs and sports events. He helped coach his son's Little League team, and his nephew Josh's soccer and Little League team and granddaughter Brenna's soccer team. Sharing his knowledge with his son, nieces, nephews and grandkids and great grandkids, about repairing and maintaining engines and vehicles, how to fall trees and wood working was especially cherished time for him. After his retirement he enjoyed buying "used" bicycles that he could repair and have at his house for his great grandchildren to use.

Eddie is survived by his wife Sharon, son Doug and wife Karen. His granddaughters Brenna and Adeena and her husband Joe Fuller. Great grandchildren Titan, Makenna, Ryden, Tristan, Brylee and Tarran. His sisters Katherine and Karen and brother Laddie. Sister-in-law Joyce Ball, niece Tracy and nephews Joe and Josh as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. He leaves behind many close friends, including Bill, Fred and John. He was preceded in death by his parents John and Erma, mother-in-law Neta, brothers Neil, Benny and Bobby, brother/sister-in-law Vic and Betty Nork and niece Kim Nork.

Memorial Donations can be made to Mount Calvary Catholic Cemetery at their website: mtcalvarycemeterykf.org or calling (541) 274-1128.