George Edward Hock

George Edward Hock, 83, of Cadillac died peacefully in Munson Medical Center , Traverse City following an unexpected stroke Sunday, October 5, 2014. He was born April 18, 1931 in Harper Hospital in Detroit the fourth of five sons born to William Louis and Mabel May (Campbell) Hock. He was named after two favorite uncles, George Hock and Edward Hock. He married Carol Cool November 7, 1998 in Cadillac. The family lived in Detroit until George was in Fourth grade when they moved to a farm in 1942 outside South Lyon. He began New Hudson school when he was eleven years old and graduated from South Lyon High School in 1950. George had a great love of life. Although growing up during World War II when times were tough he still had a great childhood and would recall many stories of times playing with his brothers, especially Jim. They would play hockey at the pond on the corner. They would play baseball wherever they could find enough guys to play with. He worked hard around the farm also. When he was old enough to get a paying job he helped his Mom with money to pay the family bills. George loved history and loved talking about the War years. Even though he lost a brother in France in 1944 before the Battle of the Bulge he still recalled details of that era. He was very patriotic and instilled that in his children. \"This is the greatest nation in the world\", he told them many times. In 1960 George was hired by Huron Clinton Metropolitan Park Authority as one of the first three heavy equipment operators to build Stony Creek Park in Romeo. He moved his family to a small house on park property to begin his new career. George loved his job at the park. He loved running the equipment, he loved every job they ever gave him. He loved being outside, he loved the people he worked with. Many nights were spent playing ball, bowling, fishing, smelt dipping filled with laughter and practical jokes. He worked there until his disability 19 years later. He always missed that job. For many years before his disability George had a part time janitorial business in Romeo and Almont. After his day at the park he would clean several businesses. He loved this job also. It gave him great pride to clean these offices and stores to the best of his ability. George would learn the history of each town where he lived. South Lyon, Romeo, Almont, Cadillac he could tell you anything about their history. He loved to learn about these towns. He made friends easily. All the waitresses and business owners knew George. He was a practical joker too. He was not above bringing his own spoon with the hole in it to the restaurant to stir his coffee and show the waitress how strong the coffee was. Or to bring his plastic fly to put in his soup. George had a great love for Detroit Tiger Baseball. He watched every game he could. When the kids were young he took them at least once a year to Tiger Stadium. He taught Debbie how to keep score and who every player was on the \'67 and \'68 teams. He loved them if they were winning or losing. He was a faithful fan. He also took the girls to Olympia to watch the Detroit Red Wings. They got the tour of Detroit including the Vernors plant and the bread factory where he picked up old bread for the dog food company he worked for in South Lyon on their annual trips. George moved to Cadillac after his youngest 2 daughters moved there. He immediately fell in love with Cadillac\'s rich history. He worked part time for the city cleaning the police station and other offices and eventually several medical buildings and offices. George loved being out in the public again. He never shied away from any task he was given. Whether it be cleaning or painting he did the best job he could do. He just loved being out with people, joking and telling stories. George was a talented artist. When he was a child he was always drawing. He signed up with a magazine to take an art class. This love continued throughout his adult years. He took oil painting classes with his daughter in Harbor Beach. George later took classes in Cadillac. He displayed his paintings in businesses in Harbor Beach and Cadillac and took them on the road in art shows in the Cadillac area. George is survived by his wife, Carol: children: Debra (James) Kranz of Cass City, Wendy Haley of Athens, TN; Lisa Nelson of Cadillac; grandchildren: Angela (Stuart) Ridpath, Brandon Nelson, Adam Kranz, Lydia Haley, Audrey Haley, Melissa Haley, Kathryn Haley; great grandchildren: Grace Ridpath, Haidyn Nelson, Jack Ridpath, Owen Ridpath; brother, James (Shari) Hock of Kalamazoo; many nieces and nephews. He is preceded in death by his brothers: William Hock, Donald Hock, and Robert Hock. Funeral service held 1:00 p.m. Thursday, October 9, 2014 in First Covenant Church with Rev. Greg DuBois officiating. Interment will be in Maple Hill Cemetery, Cadillac. Pallbearers for Mr. Hock will be: Lisa Nelson, Jim Hock, Steve Hock, Adam Kranz, Jim Kranz, Dennis Hoag, John Nelson and Gary Bigger. Memorials may be made to First Covenant Church or Wexford County Humane Society. Family and friends may share memories, prayers and stories with the family at www.kranzfuneralhome.com. Visitation: 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2014 in Peterson Funeral Home - Cadillac 12 to 1 p.m. Thursday, October 9, 2014 in First Covenant Church Ã¢â‚¬â€œ Cadillac Arrangements by Kranz Funeral Home, Cass City, Michigan Debra L. Kranz (989) 872-2195

George Edward Hock

April 18, 1931 - October 5, 2014