David J. Hocking

Benton, Wisconsin David J. "Wimpy" Hocking, 80, of Benton, Wisconsin, died Saturday, February 18, 2012, at Mercy Medical Center-Dubuque. Services will be 10:30 a.m. Thursday, February 23, 2012, at the United Methodist Church in Benton with Pastor Rodney Johnson and Pastor Fred Perkins officiating. Burial will be in the church cemetery. Friends may call from 3-8 p.m. Wednesday at Casey Funeral Home in Benton. Friends may also call from 9-10 a.m. Thursday at the church before the service. David was born on April 6, 1931, in Benton, the son of Raymond and Myrtle (Addison) Hocking. He joined the Army and served during the Korean Conflict. David married Helen Mae Ahlstrom on November 22, 1953, at the Methodist Church in Shullsburg. He was employed with John Deere Dubuque Tractor Works for 34 years before retiring in 1992. David's passion was camping at Devil's Lake and deer hunting. He was a scout leader for over twenty years. David loved to take the boys out camping to Apple Canyon Boy Scout Camp. He was a member of the United Methodist Church and VFW Post #7896. Survivors include his wife of 58 years, Helen; five sons and two daughters, Mike (Deb), of Cuba City, Deborah (Fred) Perkins, of Zephyrhills, Florida, Tim (Cindy), of Highland, Randy (Kathy), of Benton, Tammy (Dan) Steffen, of Dubuque, Jason, of Benton, and Todd (Lisa), of Highland; 27 grandchildren, Stacy, Heather (Dan) Anderson, Amanda (Jason) Lanza, Sarah, Luke (Amanda) Perkins, Polly (Brad) Mock, Megan (Travis) Ten Brink, Caleb, Alys and Kiera Perkins, Tyson (Angie), Joleen, Cari (Jeremy) Johnson, Desiree' (Cory Parker) Lawrence, Spencer, Jeremiah (Holly), Michael and Marisa Hansen, Marty and Cameron Steffen, Dylan, Angel, Breanna, Jay, Dane, Joscalyn, and Zach; twenty great-grandchildren, Crystal and Nathan Anderson, Chloe, Audrey, Lila and Calum Mock, Liam Perkins, Clary Jane and Azaria Ten Brink, Kali Rae Oakleaf, Hayley and Olivia Hocking, Aiden and Liam Johnson, Kaylin and Lillian Parker, Bryce Lawrence, Haileigh, Brody and Jeremy Hocking; and two sisters, Lois (Edward) Richardson, and Jean (Robert) Hoyer, of Benton. He was preceded in death by two granddaughters, Sheila and Shelly Hocking; his parents; six brothers, Alvin, Harold, Joe, Lawrence, Raymond, Robert and Thomas; a sister, Wilda Richardson; and his parents-in-law, John and Bernice Ahlstrom.