Wilbur H. "Bill" Hockerman

RICHMOND, Ind. - Wilbur H. 'Bill' Hockerman, age 87, of Richmond, died Tuesday, June 26, 2007, at Forest Park Health Campus. Born January 17, 1920, in Grand Marsh, Wis., to Edward and Matilda Janke Hockerman, he had lived in Richmond since 1946. Bill graduated from Westfield, Wis., High School in 1937 and from the University of Wisconsin in 1942. He joined the Naval Air Corps after college, serving on the USS Princeton, which was lost in battle in the South Pacific. Bill moved to Richmond in 1946 to begin working at Wayne Dairy in the ice cream division and becoming General Manager of the facility in 1969. He was instrumental in relocating Wayne Dairy from South 6th and A St. to the present location of Smith Dairy on N.W. 11th Street. He retired in 1985 but remained on the Board of Directors until the merger with Smith Dairy. As a member of St. John Lutheran Church since coming to Richmond, Bill served in many capacities, including most recently treasurer and choir member. For 19 years he served on the Board of Directors of West End Bank. He was an avid Duplicate Bridge player and earned a Life Master distinction in 1977. He also had a passion for gardening and sharing his knowledge as well as his produce. Throughout his life, he loved spending time with family and friends, fishing, golfing and volunteering. Survivors include his wife, Doris, to whom he was married December 27, 1947; son, David Hockerman and wife Kathy of Churubusco, Ind.; daughter, Dianne Kaucher and husband Jerry of Liberty; son, James Hockerman and wife Gail of Dana Point, Calif., and daughter, Lori Toth and husband John of Concord, Ohio; grandchildren, Timothy, Anne, Michael, Kaitlyn, Kari, Jenna, Tara, Jeffrey, Andrew, Joshua, Alex and Emily; and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by sister, Eva Hale of Naples, Fla.; brother, Harvey Hockerman and wife Neva of Janesville, Wis.; and nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Mae Lyon Gibson; and two brothers, Lewis and Eldon Hockerman. Funeral service for Wilbur H. 'Bill' Hockerman will be at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, June 30, 2007, at St. John Lutheran Church, 501 S. 7th St., Richmond with Rev. Laura Altman officiating. Burial will be in Lutherania Cemetery. Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday at Doan & Mills Funeral Home, 790 National Road W., Richmond. Memorials may be made to St. John Lutheran Church, 501 S. 7th St., P.O. Box 1710, Richmond, IN 47374, or Reid Hospital Foundation for the Hospice Program, 1401 Chester Blvd., Richmond, IN 47374. Condolences may be sent to the family via the guest book at www.doanmillsfuneralhome.com

Wilbur H. "Bill" Hockerman

January 17, 1920 - June 26, 2007