Guy E Mockler

Guy E. Mockler, of Custer, passed away on January 2, 2025, at Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, at the age of 71.
Guy was born June 16, 1953, in Madison, WI; son of the late Theodore "Ted" and Marian (Larson) Mockler. In 1957, Guy's family relocated to Stevens Point, WI and purchased a family farm in Custer in 1969. His father, who was a Scout Master, started Guy in Boy Scouts at a young age, which was the beginning of his love for the outdoors. In high school, Guy was an avid snow skier while attending PJ Jacobs High School. He graduated in 1971 with the last graduating class of PJ Jacobs before Stevens Point Area Senior High opened the following year.
While in high school, Guy was one of a very few students who had a car. One day, he gave Gail Suchowski a ride home, not knowing he had just dropped off his future wife. However, they two did not marry until later in life. He and Gail reunited in 2003 and were married in Las Vegas on January 28, 2006. When reminiscing about that day he gave her a ride home, he liked to tease Gail that she was the only one that didn't give him a kiss. His high school car also led him to meet up with hitchhikers; two of whom he became very good friends with, Larry and Babe.
Following high school, Guy bravely joined the military. He enlisted in the United States Navy in 1973 and served his country until 2013, proudly dedicating 40 years. While enlisted, he served as a naval air crewman, a flight engineer P3, and even worked for NASA in Alaska as a P3 Flight Engineer. Even after his discharge, Guy remained active in military affiliated groups. He was a member of the local VFW, American Vets, PLAV, American Legion, and DAV. He was also a member of the American Legion Riders, HCR, Abate, and Elks. He also continued to provide military honors at funerals and helped out with their events. Thankfully, Guy was blessed with a phone and GPS to guide him on his funeral endeavors from one location to the next.
While Guy dedicated much of his time to the Navy, he was sure to find time to do what he enjoyed. In fact, Guy had a knack for living his life just as he wanted. He enjoyed the outdoors by skiing, hiking, climbing, hunting, fishing, camping, and boating. Guy also had an adventurous side with activities such as racing snowmobiles, racing his car (or anything he was driving), and motorcycles. His good friend, Larry, whom he met as a hitchhiker, introduced Guy to motorcycles, and as they say, the rest was history! Guy enjoyed riding and racing motorcycles whenever he could, sometimes leaving marks on the road. His adventurous nature also led him to explore any new location in which he was stationed. He was fortunate enough to see much of the world during his time here.
In his spare time, Guy found himself lending a hand to others. He spent time working at Lake Mead, bartending, and helping Larry build houses when he could. When he and Gail first married, they lived in Stevens Point where they owned a duplex. This was how he met his good friend, Rich, who rented from them. Guy and Rich enjoyed hunting on Guy's property in the country. In 2013, Guy and Gail built a home on that land and moved to the country.
Guy will always be remembered as a loving and caring man. As his Navy friend, Mick, put it, "In all sincerity, Guy was unique. He was well known as the Gypsy Flight Engineer; a genuine term of endearment by all his peers in the P3 community. Always willing to fill in when squadrons around the country needed help. He was very well respected." In 1975, Guy flew search and rescue helicopters during the fall of Saigon, evacuating personnel from the US Embassy in South Vietnam. He was a true hero who dedicated his life to his country.
Guys is lovingly survived by his wife, Gail; his best friend, Larry; his extended family members, Erica Daniels and Robin, Kortney Daniels, Pat and Jerry (Bo) Boenski and family, and Jim and Cindy Suchowski and family; and all of his extended Navy friends and military organizations.
Guy was preceded in death by his parents, Ted and Marian; and a niece, Kelly.
The family would like to extend a special heartfelt Thank You to Aspirus, Wisconsin Veterans Home in King, and Heartland Hospice, for being so very helpful to not only Guy, but to Gail as well. "I have nothing but praise for all they have done and still continue to do!" ~ Gail Mockler
A burial will be held at 1:00 PM on Friday, May 16, 2025, at the Central Wisconsin Veterans Memorial Cemetery in King. A Celebration of Life will be held the following day, Saturday, May 17, 2025, from 1:00 to 5:00 PM at Backwoods Pavilion - 1511 N. 2nd Dr., Stevens Point.
Shuda Funeral Chapel is honored to be assisting the family.