UPDATED Monday, July 6, 2009 --- 8:30 a.m.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) -- A memorial service is scheduled Wednesday in Eau Claire for veteran newsman John Hoffland.

The longtime news director at WEAU-TV passed away Saturday of an apparent heart attack at his home in Eau Claire. Hoffland was 64.

Hoffland was widely known for his mentoring skills, often giving young broadcast journalists a chance to begin their careers, while instilling a sense of fairness and community service. His humor and positive outlook touched many far beyond his newsroom.

Hoffland was the 2001 recipient of The Associated Press Carol Brewer award for his dedication to broadcast journalism in Wisconsin. In 2002, Hoffland was honored by the Wisconsin Broadcasters Association.

He is survived by his wife Penny and son Lukas. Visitation is scheduled from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Eau Claire, followed by the memorial service at 1 p.m.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

_____________________________________________

Posted Saturday, July 4, 2009 --- 3:40 p.m.

NOTE: WMTV NBC15 and WEAU-TV are owned by Gray Television, Inc.

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (AP) -- John Hoffland, who was news director at WEAU-TV in Eau Claire for 25 years, has died. He was 64 years old.

Mark Povolny, assignment editor at WEAU, says Hoffland died suddenly Saturday morning at his home in Eau Claire. He says Hoffland died of natural causes.

Hoffland grew up in Viroqua and was a U.S. Army veteran who served in Vietnam. After that he worked as a radio and television reporter in La Crosse and in eastern Iowa before joining WEAU in 1978, first as a producer and then news director.

In 1981 Hoffland instituted a 5 p.m. daily newscast, which would later become a mainstay for TV stations around the country. In 2002 he was honored by the Wisconsin Broadcaster's Association with the Carol Brewer Award for outstanding service to broadcast journalism.

He is survived by his wife Penny.

Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.