John Hock, Jr.

Funeral Services for John Hock, Jr. will be held on Thursday, March 9, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. at the Peace Lutheran Church in Alma, Nebraska with Pastor Paul Ferrarone officiating.  Interment will be held in the Republican City Cemetery at Republican City, Nebraska, with Military Honors provided by the Hicks-Siegel American Legion Post #364 in conjunction with the United States Army Funeral Honors Team.

John Bernard Hock, Jr., 52 years of age, of Republican City, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Harlan County Health Systems in Alma.  John was born December 20, 1964 in Hastings, Nebraska, the eldest of three children born to John, Sr. and Delores (Horton) Hock.  He grew up in Hastings and attended Hastings High School, graduating with the class of 1984.  Following graduation, he enlisted in the United States Army.  After he was honorably discharged, John attended one year of Bible College in Waxahachie, Texas.

On March 28, 1992 he was united in marriage to Jennifer Blunt at the First Christian Church in Hastings.  They made their home in Omaha, Nebraska and later, Hastings until 2009 when they began to make their home in Republican City.  They were blessed with five children:  Natalie, Nathan, Nakayla, Natasha and Nolan.  John and Jenny renewed wedding vows five years ago in Hastings.

John worked for Culligan Water and later began working for the United States Postal Service, as a rural mail carrier, delivering in the Franklin, Nebraska and Upland, Nebraska area for the last five years.

He enjoyed hunting and fishing.  He loved attending all of his kid's activities, including watching softball, baseball, football and basketball.  John loved driving his rural mail route, sometimes leaving early to get started.

He was preceded in death by an infant brother, Everett Ray; his mother, Delores "Dee" Hock; and his grandparents.

John leaves to celebrate his life; his wife of 25 years, Jennifer of Republican City; his children:  Natalie, Nathan, Nakayla, Natasha and Nolan all of Republican City;  his father, John Hock, Sr. and his wife, Peggy of Hastings; mother-in-law:  Barbara Johnson and husband, Steve of Hastings;  father-in-law:  Wilbur Blunt of Republican City;  sister:  Heidi Smith and husband, Hal of Hastings; special aunt, Shirley Frese of Hastings; sisters-in-law, Katie Kimminau and husband, Wayne of Hastings and Billi Jo Blunt of Hastings; special nephew, Joshua Blunt and his wife, Chelsie of Hastings; along with several cousins, nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 from 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. with the family greeting from 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m. at the Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma.

A memorial has been established in John's honor and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Bauer-Torrey & Mach Funeral Home in Alma is in charge of the arrangements.