David E. Hockemeyer

David E. Hockemeyer, 79, of Monroeville, Indiana, passed away on Tuesday, December 22, 2020, at Parkview Hospital, Fort Wayne, after a brief illness from pneumonia complications.  Born February 18, 1941, in Decatur, Indiana, David was the son of the late Lawrence C. and Velma M. (Ehlerding) Hockemeyer.  He was baptized into Christ on March 2, 1941 at St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock, Monroeville, and was confirmed on April 3, 1955, also at St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock, Monroeville, where he was still a member.  He married the love of his life of 57 years, Janice M.L. Nicol, on June 9, 1963, at St. John’s Lutheran Church, Marysville, Ohio.  David and Janice lived in the Woodburn community for ten years after marrying and were former members of Christ Lutheran Church before returning home near the family farm.

David was a life-long, fourth-generation farmer on the Madison Township family farm that was awarded a Hoosier Homestead Centennial Award.  He was a 1959 graduate of Hoagland High School.  David also worked off the farm at Eckrich Meats after high school, then began a 37-year career at International Harvester/Navistar in 1960 that included attending Purdue University.  He also established an excavating business from 1963-1973.  In 1997, along with his partners, sons, Brian, and David Jason, they established Peridot, Inc., a rapid prototyping and product development company that continues to operate.  David continued in recent years to assist his son, Brian, with farming duties until he was hospitalized.

David was charitable with his time to the community and was a 56-year Lions Club member and served on the Lions State Cancer Control board and held many offices in his local club.  He was awarded the Melvin Jones Fellowship Lions Award in 2017.  He also served on the East Allen County School Board for 12 years.  David held a variety of offices, served on building committees, was the youth baseball coach, and in the choir at St. John, Flatrock.  He also sang in the Lutheran Men of Song choir.  He was a member of the Allen County Farm Bureau, Hoagland Area Advancement Association, NRA, Ducks Unlimited, and Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. He enjoyed the outdoors, fishing, hunting, and supporting Purdue University in its’ land-grant mission and athletics.  David was a faithful fan for his children’s and grandchildren’s many sporting events, 4H endeavors, and he was a man of wisdom during difficult times, and gave thanks during joyous times.

He is survived by his wife, Janice, and two of their three sons:  Brian (Rhonda) Hockemeyer of Monroeville, and David Jason Hockemeyer of Hoagland.  Daughter-in-law:  Holly (Sean) Leach of Lincoln, Nebraska.  Grandchildren:  Katelyn (fiance, Kyle Dickelman) Hockemeyer, Emily (Alex) Borst, Micah Hockemeyer, Aiden Hockemeyer, Jonathan David Hockemeyer Leach, and Braden Leach. Sister:  Mary (Larry) Zelt of Leo, Indiana.  Janice’s brother:  Sherman J.J. (Glenda) Nicol of Marysville, Ohio.  He was preceded in death by a son, Jonathan Lane Hockemeyer, in 1997.

David’s faith carried him through life’s many challenges, and he taught his family well.

“Well done thou good and faithful servant.”

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Thursday, December 31, 2020, at St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock in Monroeville, Indiana with Pastor Douglas Christian officiating. Burial will follow in St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Flatrock.

Family and friends will be received on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, at St.John Lutheran Church, Flatrock, from 2-8pm in the Fellowship Center.  When arriving, use the parking lot between the church and the school.  You will be guided where to enter in order to maintain physical distancing.  An additional period of visitation will be from 930-1030am, Thursday, December 31, 2020, in the church foyer, connecting the church and school.  Masks are required.

Preferred memorials can be made to Jonathan Lane Hockemeyer Scholarship Fund, or the St.John Flatrock 175th Anniversary Fund.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home in Decatur, Indiana