Posted on: Hancock Co. Il Obituaries Forum Reply Here: http://cgi.rootsweb.com/~genbbs/genbbs.cgi/USA/Il/HancockObits/439 Surname: HOCKER, WHITE ------------------------- Obituary Many hearts were made sad when the message came over the wires last Thursday evening which brought the words that Orval Hocker had been suddenly stricken with that dread disease pneumonia, and after only 24 hours illness had passed to his heavenly home. Orval Marion, eldest son of W. H. and Hattie (White) Hocker, was born Nov. 15, 1899, at Colchester, Ill., and departed this life at the Sweeney Hospital in Kansas City, Mo., on Jan. 9, 1919 at 7:30 o'clock p.m., aged 19 years, 1 month and 9 days. After residing a few years in Colchester, his parents came to this vicinity which has been his home since. Here he spent his boyhood days where he had made everlasting friends. After finishing his school work in the rural schools he attended Normal at Macomb for several terms. Being very ambitious to succeed he decided to take a course in the automobile and tractor school. he went to the Sweeney auto school at Kansas City, Mo., less than two weeks ago in the fullness of health with the future looking so bright for a useful career for him. So biding his fond parents, brothers and little sister, good by, assuring them he would keep well and succeed in his school work and soon be home again. He wrote encouraging letters home, his parents receiving one on Wednesday morning, stating he had a cold but was still in school, when in the evening of the same day came the sad message for them to come at once as he was seriously ill. The father hastened to his bedside arriving only a very short time before his spirit returned to God who gave it. He leaves father, mother, two brothers, Arland and Don, and one little sister, Isla, whom he idolized, besides many other near relatives who he was dear to, also a host of loving friends in this vicinity who sympathize with the family inn the loss of this manly, upright son and brother, who God has seen fit to take away from his earthly home to a bright and beautiful home above. He was always courteous and kind to everyone, and especially to his parents, brother and sister. He was a great lover of home, there was where his best interest was, and he was looking forward to fitting himself for a useful career in this life, his books were his constant companions. He was very careful to consult his parents in all things, asking their advice and depending upon their judgment at all times. The news of his death has filled the community with sadness and regret, as he was a general favorite with old and young alike since childhood. It would be a waste of words ot attempt to comfort the sorrowing relatives. It wuld be hard for them to understand why their loved one was snatched away from them in all the vigor and glory of young manhood. There is nothing but sorrow and sadness in a home where sunshine and gladness once reigned supreme and to them all the world is gloom, but some day perhaps, when the merciful hand of time shall have swept some of the darkness away, they will turn from the grave and look up to the sky and be comforted with the thought that up there somewhere is a world of sunshine and love, and in that world is a dear one who is waiting and watching to welcome them when they are called to come up higher. In the abrupt and untimely death of this young man there has been removed from our midst one of the brightest, most ambitious and beautiful characters it has ever been the pleasure of the one who has written these lines in honor of him, to know personally. May He who can heal every sorrow be the comforter in this, the darkest hour of our lives. The body was accompanied by the father from Kansas City, Mo., on the early train Saturday morning to Colchester and from there taken out to the home of his parents at Joetta. Funeral services were held at the home on Sunday, Jan. 12, 1919, at 12 o'clock, conducted by Rev. L. J. Sailor, Methodist pastor of Majorville, who gave a splendid discourse, full of hope and sympathy for the bereaved ones, after which the flower-laden casket was brought to Colchester to Mount Auburn cemetery, where he was left to rest, to await the resurrection morn. Contributed by Mrs. Lem Parker ------ Clipping from an unknown newspaper Note: Joetta is located in Hancock township of Hancock County IL