Ferdinand StockerFerdinand Stocker
Ferdinand Charles Stocker, 87, of Rushville died at 1:05 p.m. Oct. 18, 2010, at Culbertson Long Term Care Facility in Rushville.
He was born Jan. 4, 1923, in Pana, a son of Herman and Rose Kepetsky Stocker. He married Virginia Maton on Aug. 31, 1946, in Pana. She survives.
Also surviving are three daughters, Pauletta (and Carl) Vancil and Rev. Rosalee (and John) Ross, both of Rushville, and Gail (and Kenneth) Kotter of Scottsdale, Ariz.; eight grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by two brothers, Herman and Joseph Stocker.
He served in the United States Navy, enlisting on Dec. 7, 1942, and serving two years and 10 months on PT Boat #344 in the South Pacific.
He was a 1941 graduate of Pana High School. He first worked at L.E. Meyers Construction Company in Pana as a groundsman and bulldozer operator. He later worked at Presnell Brothers Construction Company and as a welder for Peabody Coal Company, all in Pana. In 1957, he transferred to Rushville with Peabody Coal retiring in September 1982, after 33 years of service. He began driving a school bus for Schuyler School District #1 in 1983 and retired in 1998.
He was a member of First United Methodist Church in Rushville, past president of Schuyler County Food Basket, member and past commander of Schuyler American Legion Post #4, member and past chef degare of the 40 et 8, member of Disabled American Veterans, a member and past prince of the PoLK of A Klub of Springfield and a member of Spoon River Senior Citizens Choir in Macomb.
Services were held Saturday at his church with Rev. Steve Pichaske officiating. Inurnment followed in Rushville City Cemetery with military rites by the U.S. Naval Burial Detail and Schuyler American Legion Post #4. Wood Funeral Home in Rushville was in charge of arrangements.
Memorial may be made to First United Methodist Church or Rushville Free Methodist Church Exercise Room.
Condolences may be sent to www.woodfh.net.