Earl Michael Hockers

Earl Michael Hockers passed away Friday, June 22, 2012 at the age of 92. He was born on April 18, 1920, in De Pere, WI to Louis and Ida (Henrigillis) Hockers. Earl married Juletta (Jill) Kaster on May 12, 1945, at St. Mary’s Church in De Pere. Earl and Jill owned and operated a 197 acre dairy farm south of De Pere. Earl was the third generation to farm the land that was known as “Hockers Section.” After Earl sold the farm he worked for Mc Monagle Lumber Co. and Van Zeeland Crate and Pallet Co. before retiring with his wife on Boot Lake, in Townsend, WI. He was an avid golfer, bowler, hunter, fisherman and active church member of St. Mary of the Lakes Church in Lakewood, WI before moving back to De Pere last year. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, brother and loyal friend. His oral history of life on the farm with seven sisters and his joy of living are remembered by everyone that knew him. Earl is survived by a daughter, Kathleen (John) DeBoth; a son, Rodney (Nancy Van Den Heuvel); four grandchildren; Amy (Jeremy) Ruth, Steven (Sara Stillings) DeBoth, Lori (Michael) LeRoy and Eric Hockers; six great-grandchildren; Kaitlin and Brianna Ruth, Nathan and Elena LeRoy, Juniper Hockers and Iain DeBoth; three sisters; Evelyn Geurts, Angeline (Carter) Rukamp and Helen Haese; one sister-in-law, Marlene Reiche and many beloved nieces and nephews. Earl is preceded in death by his wife of 66 years who passed away September 29, 2011; his parents; four sisters and brothers-in-law; Ethel (Wallace McMonagel) and (William Bos), Mabel and Sidney Seifert, Lucy and Kenneth Carufel, George Geurts, Norbert Carter, Harold Rukamp, Alfred Haese and his sister, Leona Hockers; his father and mother-in-law, Mathew and Gertrude (Zuidmulder) Kaster; two brothers-in-law and their spouses, Melvin (Margaret) Kaster and Harlen (Joan) Kaster; and a brother-in-law, Raymond Reiche. Family and friends may call Tuesday, June 26, 2012 from 11:00 a.m. until the hour of Mass at St. Mary Catholic Church, 4805 Sportsman Drive, Ledgeview. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 1:00 p.m. Tuesday at church, with Fr. Patrick Beno officiating. Cotter Funeral Home and Cremation Services is assisting the family. Interment will be in Mt. Olivet Cemetery, De Pere. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cotterfuneralhome.com. The family would like to recognize the special care Earl received from Unity Hospice; and the staffs of Birch Creek by Hillcrest and Wayside Parkview Estates; and Mary Lawrence, niece and hospice care nurse.

Reception:
St. Mary Catholic Community
4805 Sportsman Drive
De Pere, WI 54115