Traverse City Record-Eagle

Archive: Saturday

January 26, 2013

Robert J. Ockert

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KINGSLEY — Robert J. Ockert, age 85, of Kingsley, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2013, with his family at his side at Munson Medical Center. He was born July 26, 1927, in Kingsley, to John B. and Alice Mary (Younglas) Ockert.

Bob graduated from St. Mary Hannah Catholic School in 1945.

After graduation Bob enlisted in the U.S. Army and served his country from 1945 until 1949. He was stationed, for a time, in Japan.

On Oct. 22, 1960, Bob married Marjorie Rose Clous at St. Francis Catholic Church in Traverse City. Together they raised one daughter.

After his honorable discharge from the military Bob returned home and helped with the family farm. He also worked for several years for Bayshore Meats in Traverse City. After Bayshore Meats closed Bob went to work for Brown Lumber. He retired from there as a supervisor after almost 25 years.

Bob was an active member of St. Mary Hannah Catholic Church, the men's and women's club, the church choir and the American Legion Post 436.

Bob loved his garden. He was very proud of it and enjoyed sharing the fruits of his labor with everyone he knew. He also enjoyed hunting and playing cards, but his greatest joy was his grandchildren and great-granddaughter.

Bob is survived by his wife of 52 years, Marjorie; a daughter, Rose (Dewayne) Belles Jr., of Interlochen; granddaughters, Kimberlee (Nick) Forsman, of Rockford, and Kristina (Bryan) Keyser, of Interlochen; a great-granddaughter, Lily Rose Keyser; siblings, Joseph "Jay" (Mary) Ockert, of Kingsley, Gerald (Kathy) Ockert, of Grand Ledge, Ralph (Zita) Ockert, of Kingsley, Margaret Lewis, of Kingsley, Fred "Fritz" Ockert, of Interlochen, and Betty Lou (Dan) Walker, of Lake Ann.

Besides his parents, Bob was preceded in death by eight siblings, Ethel Nickerson, Eleanor Bauer, Leroy Ockert, Beatrice Ockert, Clarence Ockert, Donaldine Nickerson, Marie Sedlacek and Geraldine Ockert.

A visitation will be held Sunday, Jan. 27, 2013, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 6 to 8 p.m., with a scripture service at 7 p.m., at the Covell Funeral Home in Kingsley. A funeral Mass will be held Monday, Jan. 28, 2013, at 11 a.m., with visitation one hour prior, at St. Mary Hannah Catholic Church. Burial will take place at St. Mary Hannah Catholic Cemetery immediately following the Mass.

Memorial contributions may be directed to the American Legion Post 436 or the American Lung Association.

Please share a memory of Bob at www.covellkingsley.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Covell Funeral Home of Kingsley.

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