Mary Hocker

Mary Lavon Cappleman Hocker, born at home on February 3, 1928 five miles north of Barnsdall, Ok to Clive Cecil and Etta Hinshaw Cappleman, passed away peacefully at the age of 97 on June 4, 2025.

Viewing will be from 4pm to 6pm at Grace Memorial Chapel, Ponca City, Ok, on Thursday, June 19, 2025 and on Friday, June 20, 2025 from 9:30 to 10:00am at Ponca City Assembly of God Church. Funeral Service will be held at Ponca City Assembly of God Church at 10:00am on Friday, June 20, 2025. Burial will be private at Barnsdall Cemetery.

Mary grew up on the Naval Reserve Oil Field, Osage County, east of Fairfax, attending the one room schoolhouse of Greyhorse School and graduated from Fairfax High School. She studied at Northern Oklahoma College, Oklahoma State University and also received a Masters Diploma with honors from the Sunday School Department of the Assemblies of God in Springfield, Missouri.

During WWII, in 1945, Mary married her childhood sweetheart, Julius Duane Hocker on February 12, 1945. They honeymooned on Route 66 back to San Diego where he was stationed at the Navy base. After moving to San Francisco with the Navy Julius was sent to the Pacific Theater of War for 13 months while Mom worked for the war effort. When he was honorably discharged at Norman, Ok they moved back to the Naval Reserve. At Julius’ death in 2019 they had been married 74 years. They had two children, Billy Duane and LaVera Mae.

Mary and Julius moved to Ponca City in 1948 where Mary was primarily a homemaker loving to cook for family and friends. She was member of Ponca City Assembly of God Church where she volunteered as a Nursery Attendant, Sunday School Secretary, Christ Ambassador President, Women’s Ministry President, Missionette Coordinator and was the Women’s Bible Class Teacher for 25 years. She served many funeral dinners and when families were in need she helped them get back on their feet again.

Mary also worked at various times in local doctor’s offices, for Allied Van Lines as a packer and estimator, and for Camp Fire, Inc. She served the community by being president of Ponca City Women’s Aglow, President of Kay-Noble Medical Association and was an Ombudsman for Ponca City Nursing Facility.

Many times Mary was called at night to help women who were alcoholics and then cared for their families until they got back on their feet again. She was a Care-Giver to her parents for 3 ½ years in her home and also to her Uncle for 3 years in her home. She cared 24/7 for her husband, Julius, who had Parkinson’s Disease for 5 years. Mary had a heart for those who were afflicted and did her best to help them. She was a faithful follower of Jesus Christ and always had a smile for everyone.

Mary is survived by her children, Bill Hocker of Oklahoma City and LaVera and her husband, Russell Wagner, of Pottstown, PA, 3 grandsons, Charles VanNatter, Duane Hocker and Scott Hocker, 5 great-grandchildren and 11 great-great-grandchildren.