Hocken, Merlin F.

Merlin F. Hocken, 69, of Meza, Ariz., formerly of Independence, died Friday, July 19, 2013, at his home in Mesa.

Merlin was born Jan. 28, 1944, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of Merlin L. and Katherine (O'Brien) Hocken. He attended the East Buchanan Schools in Winthrop and on Feb. 23, 1962, he enlisted in the U.S. Army serving until his discharge on Feb. 19, 1965. He moved to Clairmore, Okla., where he owned and operated “The Tool Shed” and “D & M Auto,” before returning to Independence, where he owned and operated the “Hocken's Auto,” “Allerton-Axtel Supper Club” and “The Barn” in Independence, and Oelwein Auto in Oelwein, before moving to Mesa, Ariz.

He is survived by two children, Rachelle Pepper and Shane (Molly) Beatty, both of Independence; two grandchildren, Jackson and Kaitlyn Beatty; his fiancee, Barbara “Bobbi” Hillman of Mesa; six brothers, LeRoy Hocken of, Flagstaff, Ariz., Dean Hocken, Huntsville, Ala., Robert Hocken of Independence, Jerry Hocken of Mesa, Ariz. and Harold and Ronnie Hocken, both of Independence; and three sisters, Kathleen Mason of Queen Creek, Ariz., and Darlene Hocken and Theresa Hocken, both of Independence.

Merlin was preceded in death by his parents and three brothers, DeWayne Hocken and two brothers in infancy.

Memorial services will be held at noon Saturday, Aug. 17, at the Reiff Funeral Home & Crematory, Independence, with inurnment in St. Patrick's Catholic Cemetery, Winthrop. Friends may call from 10 a.m. until services Saturday at the funeral home.

For more information or to leave an online condolence, please go to under obituaries.

Published in The Gazette Aug. 13, 2013.