He wrote encouraging letters home, his parents receiving one on Wednesday morning, stating he had a cold, but was still in school, when the evening of the same day the sad message came 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 to mourn his passing away, father, mother, two brothers, Arland and Don, and one little sister, Isla, whom he idolized, besides many other relatives whom he was dear to, and a host of loving friends in this vicinity, who deeply sympathize with the family in the loss of this manly, upright son and brother, whom God has saw [sic] fit to take away from this earth to a bright and beautiful home above.

He was always courteous and kind to every one [sic] and especially to his parents, brothers and sister, and a great lover of home and his books were his companion.  He always went to his parents for advice and depended upon their judgment at all times.

The news of his death has filled the community with sadness and regret, as he has been a general favorite with old and young alike since childhood.

It would be a waste of words to attempt to comfort the sorrowing relatives.  It would be hard for them to understand why their loved ones [sic] was snatched away from them in all the vigor and glory of young manhood.  There is nothing by 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 sk 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 been the pleasure of the one who has written these lines in honor of him, to know personally.,May [sic] He who can heal every sorrow be the Comforter in this the darkest hourse [sic] of their lives.

The body, accompanied by the father, was brought from Kansas City, Mo., on the early train Saturday morning to Colchester and from there 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, pastor at Majorville, who gave a splendid discourse, full of hope and sympathy for the bereaved ones, after which the flower laden casket was borne to Colchester to Mount Auburn cemetery, where he was left to rest to await the resurrection morn.

We desire to thank our many friends for the kindness shown us at the time of the death of our loved one and for the many beautiful floral offerings.

Orval's tombstone at Mount Auburn Cemetery was inscribed Orville M. Hocker.  When he registered for Selective Service in 1918, he signed his name as Orval Marion Hocker.  The death certificate, prepared in Missouri after he died at Sweeney Military Hospital, bears the name Orval M. Hocker.

See also: Harriet F. White & William H. Hocker

Hocker, William, head, white, male, Sept 1877, 22, married for 1 year, born IL, father born KY, mother born IL, coal miner, months not employed - 0, could read, write and speak English, rented his home

Hattie, wife, white, female, Sept 1877, 22, married for 1 year; mother of 1 child, living; born IL, father born OH, mother born VA, could read, write and speak English

Orval, son, white, male, Nov 1899, 6/12, single, born IL, both parents born IL

Hocker, William, head, male, white, 33, married (1st) for 11 years, born IL, father born [no entry], mother born IL, spoke English, occupation - none, could read and write, paying on a mortgage on his home

Hattie, wife, female, white, 32, married (1st) for 11 years; mother of 3 children, all living; born IL, father born OH, mother born VA, spoke English, could read and write

Orvil M, son, male, white, 10, single, born IL, both parents born IL, spoke English, could read and write, attended school after Sept. 1, 1909

Arland D, son, male, white, 7, single, born IL, both parents born IL, attended school after Sept. 1, 1909

William D, son, male, white, 5, single, born IL, both parents born IL