Chesterton resident John William Hocker died Wednesday, March 3, 2010. He
was 90.
He was born on
July 15, 1919 in Beaver Dam, Kent., to Mary Jane (Neighbors) and William
Fred Hocker. He was a resident of Chesterton with his wife Mary Oakel
(Apple), who survives. They were married for 66 loving years.
John graduated
from Beaver Dam High School in 1938. He served in the Army/Air Force during
World War II. While in the service, John met and fell in love with Mary
Oakel. They were married on Oct. 6, 1943 in Dover, Delaware.
After the war,
John returned to college and graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College with a
B.A. in History. He worked with his father-in-law as a plastering contractor
in Indianapolis from 1948-1959. John then worked as an accountant for Texas
Instruments Corp. in Versailles, Kent. from 1959-1981.
John was a
member of the Chesterton First United Methodist Church. He was also a
life-member of the Masonic Lodge. He belonged to the Scottish Rite and was a
Shriner. In retirement, he enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren and
great-grandchildren, playing cards, and visiting with his family and
friends.
John is survived
by his wife, Mary Oakel; daughter Anne Marie Hiestand (husband Terry); five
grandchildren Sarah Lawson (Scott), Keith Hiestand (wife Carrie), Amy
Klodzen (Paul), Caroline Faylor (Dan), and David Hiestand (Martha); and
three great-grandchildren, Allison Louise Klodzen, Jack Edward Faylor, and
Elizabeth Rose Lawson.
John was
preceded in death by his brother C. Leonard Hocker and his sister Mildred D.
Hocker.
Services will be
held at noon on Saturday, March 6, 2010 at the White-Love Funeral Home, 525
S. 2nd St., Chesterton, with Rev. Terry Rhine officiating. The family will
receive friends at 10 a.m. until the service at the funeral home. Memorials
may be given to the Organ Repair Fund at the First United Methodist Church,
434 S. 2nd St., Chesterton, IN 46304.
Posted 3/5/2010