Ralph Bockey

Ralph B. Bockey, 72, of Van Wert, passed away on Tuesday, July 27, 2021 in Loveland, Colorado while doing what he loved most, vacationing with his grandkids. He was born on September 08, 1948, in Lima, to his late parents, Cletus and Josephine (Sager) Bockey.

On April 18, 1970, he married the love of his life, Jolene Klima. Together, they shared years of memories.

A 1966 graduate of Delphos St John's High School, Ralph went on to earn his degree from Devry Institute of Technology in Chicago. In 1971, he was drafted into the United States Army where he proudly served in the Med Co MEDDAC Unit stationed in Fort Riley, Kansas.

At 27, Ralph became an Owner/Operator OTR Trucker, which he did for 25 years. He then went to work for 5 years at Gressel's Produce in Delphos before retiring from Lakeview Farms after 18 years at the age of 63. His handle was "Spider", his high school nickname. Along with his sons, Ralph also took care of his farm.

Ralph was a member of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, a 3rd degree knight at Delphos Knights of Columbus Council 1362, a member of The Fraternal Order of Eagles Aerie 471 and the NRA.

Ralph was an outdoorsman who enjoyed elk hunting in Colorado, fishing and deer hunting, particularly with his special dog, Charlie. He could often be found farming, gardening and working in the shop.

Ralph often traveled and especially loved taking his grandchildren on vacation with him. His wife, children and grandkids were the most important things to him, and he cherished every minute spent with them.

Those left to cherish his memory are his loving wife, Jolene Bockey of Van Wert; children: Andrew (Casie) Geiger) Bockey of Orrville, OH; Doug (Anastasia Roberson) Bockey of Gomer, OH; Susan (Joseph) Tomassetti of Orrville, OH; brother, Edward (Justina) Bockey of Delphos, OH; sisters: Dorothy Schroeder of Glandorf, OH; Elaine (Tom) Evans of Delphos, OH; grandchildren: Abigail, Emmalyn & Matthew Bockey; Ashlynn and Caitlin Bockey; as well as many nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Ralph was preceded in death by brother, George Bockey, sister, Pam Lauf and nephew, Todd Lauf.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 AM. Saturday, August 7, 2021 at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, 601 Jennings Rd, Van Wert, OH with Father Chris Bohnsack, celebrant. Interment will follow in Ridge Cemetery, Lincoln Hwy Middle Point, OH with military honors rendered by the combined units of the US Army, Van Wert American Legion and VFW.

Family and friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 PM on Friday, August 06, 2021 at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home 722 S. Washington St. Van Wert, OH 45891. with praying of the rosary at 7:30 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Ralph`s memory may be sent to Shriners Hospitals for Children, https://www.shrinershospitalsforchildren.org.

To share in Ralph's online memorial, please visit www.alspachgearhart.com.

Arrangements have been entrusted to Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory, 722 S Washington Street, Van Wert, OH 45891.