Thomas J. Hocking

1942 - 2024

Thomas J. Hocking
Born: January 1, 1942 in La Salle, IL
Died: September 1, 2024 in Oglesby, IL
Thomas J. Hocking, 82, of Jonesville died unexpectedly in his flower garden the afternoon of September 1, 2024. Visitation will be Saturday September 7, 2024, from 12:00 – 3:00 PM in the Ptak Funeral Home in Peru. There will be a 3:00 PM service. The La Salle- Oglesby Veteran's Memorial Group will conduct Military honors at the funeral home. Cremation rites have been accorded.
Tom was born on January 1, 1942, to Bill and Nellie (Chipowski) Hocking. He attended L-P High School, graduating in 1960. He served in the U.S. Army and completed 3-terms in Vietnam. Following his tour-of-duty, Tom became a heavy equipment operator, eventually becoming the owner and operator of his cleaning business, Illinois Valley Rug & Floor, from which he retired after 25 years.
He met the love of his life Pat Moriarity and they married on May 23, 1970. They had three children: Dennis, Tom and Sally.
Tom's legacy will continue on in those who survive to cherish and miss him, his wife, Pat, their children, Dennis (Laura) Hocking of Peru, Tom (Tracy) Hocking of LaSalle and Sally (Jim)Taliani of LaSalle; one grandson, Will Hocking; four step-grandsons: Josh Taliani, Keegan Samolinski, Trevor Samolinski, and Cole Pearson; two step-granddaughters, Leah Ferrari and Tara Ferrari, step great-granddaughter, Ivory Greathouse, and his brother Gene Zeman of Spring Valley. He will be particularly missed by his favorite buddy, Moreo.
Greeting him on the other side are his parents, brothers Chuck Zeman and Bill Zeman and his grandson T.J. Hocking.
Online condolences and memories may be shared at PtakFh.com