Vernon L. Rocker

Vernon Leonard Rocker, age 72, of Ottawa, Kansas, died Thursday, November 5, 2009 at Ransom Memorial Hospital in Ottawa. He was born on Friday, July 9, 1937, in Garnett, Kansas. He was the son of Clarence and Elizabeth (Wolken) Rocker. RESIDENCE HISTORY: Vernon spent his early childhood in Garnett, Kansas, moving to Scipio with his family at around eleven years of age. He moved to Ottawa in 1962. EDUCATION: Vernon attended Richmond High School. OCCUPATION & BUSINESS: He worked construction and quarry work with his dad until his dad’s death in 1960. He then started working for Reno Construction as a heavy equipment operator until his retirement in 2000. MEMBERSHIPS: He was a dedicated member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa and Operating Engineers Local 101 of Kansas City, Missouri. MARRIAGE: On May 5, 1962, Vernon was united in marriage with Charlotte Smiley in Ottawa. She survives of their home. SERVICES: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, November 10, 2009, at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Ottawa. IN STATE: Friends may pay their respects to Mr. Rocker at the Dengel & Son Mortuary after 1:00 p.m. Sunday to the service hour, where a Rosary will be said at 7:00 p.m. Monday evening followed by visitation at 7:30. CEMETERY: Mt. Calvary Cemetery in Ottawa, Kansas. MEMORIALS: The family suggests memorial contributions to Sacred Heart Catholic School, c/o Dengel & Son Mortuary, 235 S. Hickory, Ottawa, Kansas 66067. Condolences may be e-mailed to the family through dengelmortuary@sbcglobal.net. SURVIVORS INCLUDE: Wife-Charlotte Rocker of the home Mother-in-law-Dorothy Smiley of Ottawa, Kansas Sister-in-law-Neva May Smiley of Lawrence, Kansas Son-Darren Rocker and his wife, Miki, of Ottawa, Kansas Daughter-Vickie Sutton and her husband, Allen, of Pomona, Kansas Son-Warren Rocker of Platte City, Missouri Sister-Evelyn Whitmer and her husband, Thurman, of Wichita, Kansas Sister-Edith Sosby and her husband, Butch, of Claremore, Oklahoma Sister-Joann Johnson and her husband, Leroy, of Mountain View, Arkansas Brother-Earl “Butch” Rocker and his wife, Sharon, of Garnett, Kansas Three Grandchildren-Denali Stigall, Lacey Sutton, Jaron Stigall-Rocker HE IS PRECEDED IN DEATH BY: Parents-Clarence and Elizabeth Rocker Brother-Delmer Rocker Brother-Virgil Rocker Sister-Lois Rocker