In Remembrance of  Jon Hobart Ocker

    Jon Hobart Ocker, 74, of Mifflinburg, PA, entered into rest on Saturday, April 25, 2009, while doing what he loved, farming at his home.
    He was born May 19, 1934, in Lewistown, a son of the late Bryson and Eleanor (Beck) Ocker. On July 11, 1958, in the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mifflinburg, he married the former June Elliott, who survives.
    Jon was a 1953 graduate of Mifflinburg High School. After graduation, he entered the Army and was a guard of prisoners while stationed in Germany.
    Jon returned to Mifflinburg in 1955 and farmed with his father until 1969 when his father passed away, and at that time took over the family farm. He was named Dairylea Farmer of the Year in 1991. Jon was known as a progressive dairy farmer for his forward thinking. He was the first farmer in Union County to bring the Herd Grazing Program to the area. Farmers would travel from all parts of Pennsylvania to learn from Jon about grazing techniques. On July 24, 2007, after 59 years of dairy farming, Jon sold his herd, and then turned his attention to raising and selling hay, gardening in his large garden, and raising young steers.
He was a member of the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Mifflinburg, for 58 years.
    Jon was a Pittsburgh Steeler and Penn State Football fan. He enjoyed spending time with his border collie, Jake, who was always by his side. Jon loved being surrounded by his children and grandchildren.
    In addition to his wife of nearly 51 years, he is survived by two daughters and one son-in-law, Shawn Ocker of Mifflinburg and Michele and David Holman of Mifflinburg; one son and daughter-in-law, Bryson and Amber Ocker of Indianapolis, Ind.; three grandchildren, Brandon and Kala Nelson, and Danielle Walize; two sisters, Francelyn Goss of Enola, and Lois Smith of Mifflinburg; one brother and sister-in-law, Sidney and Martha Ocker of Sunbury; one sister-in-law, Jean Ocker of Center Valley; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, Louis and Lois Elliott of Mifflinburg, Dorothy Leitzel of Selinsgrove, and Harold and Virginia Solomon of Middleburg; numerous nieces and nephews; and his border collie, Jake.
    He was preceded in death by one brother, Bryson Ocker Jr.
    Funeral services were held Wed., April 29, at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, 404 Market St., Mifflinburg. The Rev. Dennis E. Beaver, officiated.
    A private burial was held in the Mifflinburg Cemetery, with military honors by Mifflinburg American Legion Post 410.

Jake was my father’s rescued Border Collie and was his constant companion.  Jake knew, when my Dad stepped out the front door of the house , there was work to be done. All he would have to say was, “go get the cows”, and Jake would take off. With a few more commands from Dad, he would have the cows where they needed to be. When the milking was done.  Jake would move the cows again to where they needed to go. He was a tremendous help to my Dad. When they both retired from dairy farming in July of 2007, Dad and Jake would go for rides in the truck, play Frisbee (Jake seemed to never tire of it), or they would just sit outside together.

     Jake is now mourning the passing of his best friend, my dad.  He looks out the driveway towards the barn, waiting for my Dad to come home. It is sad to watch this, my Dad and Jake were inseparable. I’m sure as time goes on, Jake will heal like the rest of us.  Jake continues to get the steers out of the field and, oh yes, there is that Frisbee.

     In remembrance of my Dad, we are asking for donations for Terri so she can continue her work with Border Collies. I’m sure my Dad would be very proud of this. He loved Jake dearly.

Allie is being rescued from a high kill shelter in Kentucky in Jon’s name. Thanks to Jon’s family and friends Allie will soon be settled in a loving home as Jon would have wished.

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