Harold E. Bockmon, 84, passed away peacefully in his Swayzee home with his family by his side on Sunday, January 22, 2017. Harold was born in Huntington County, Indiana, to the late Freeman and late Tena (Simon) Bockmon on May 15, 1932. He married Nila S. Pitts-Sparks on August 9, 1982, and she survives.
Harold graduated from Monument City High School in 1950. He then went to work for Hartson-Kennedy as a shop supervisor for 43 1/2 years, retiring in 2002. Harold served in the Army, driving a tank in Korea and earning a United Nations/National Defense Service Medal. He loved to travel to Myrtle Beach and Florida. He enjoyed watching Nascar and IU sports. He was a big Bob Evans fan and enjoyed working in his yard gardening and having his grandchildren pick up sticks while he was mowing. Harold was also a member of the Van Buren American Legion post #368.
Harold is survived by his wife of 34 years, Nila Bockmon, Swayzee, IN; 2 daughters, Kim (Ronnie) Klein and Darlene Alva, both of Marion, IN; 2 sons, Greg (Teresa) Bockmon and Bill Sparks, both of Marion, IN; 9 grandchildren, Jennifer Klein, Marion, IN, Parker (Erica) Klein, Marion, IN, Patrick (Olivia) Klein, Marion, IN, Brad (Kylie) Bockmon, Swayzee, IN, Aleta (Brett) Blum, FL, Jamie Bockmon, Marion, IN, Stephanie Bockmon, Kokomo, IN, A.J. Bradley, Marion, IN, and Susan (Tanner Sullivan) Alva, Marion, IN; 2 great-grandchildren, Jeymin Smith and Ronan Blum, and 2 great-grandchildren on the way; 4 sisters, Freda Buzzard, Huntington, IN, Mary (Glen) Williams, MI, Janet Housel, Marion, IN, and Judy Kroft, Marion, IN; and several nieces and nephews. The family would also like to thank Dr. Westfall and his staff for their wonderful care.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Freeman and Tena Bockmon; 3 brothers, Clarence Bockmon, Paul Dean Bockmon, and Garl Bockmon; 3 sisters, Ruby Bockmon-Stephan, Margaret Marsh, and Mildred Parks; and 1 grandson, Michael Klein.
Arrangements for Harold have been entrusted to the College Park Chapel of Armes-Hunt Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4601 S. Western Ave., Marion, Indiana 46953, where the family will receive friends from 4 p.m. – 8 p.m. on Thursday, January 26, 2017. A funeral service will be held on Friday, January 27, 2017, at 11:30 a.m. with Pastor Brock Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at Marion National Cemetery with military rites.
Contributions may be made in memory of Harold to the American Lung Association or to Heart to Heart Hospice. Online condolences may be made at www.armeshuntfuneralhome.com.