Mary Alice Ocker

Mary Alice Ocker (née Dirst), age 86, of Roscoe, Illinois passed away on July 18, 2025, after a long illness. Mary Alice was born on May 11, 1939 in Hammond, Indiana to the late James Arthur Dirst and Dixie Pauline Ratliff Dirst. She arrived in the world as the Great Depression was ending. Only two years later in 1941, World War II came to the American shores, and her father left to serve in the US Army while her mother took on the role of "Rosie the Riveter". As Mary Alice grew up, her school days were filled with student activities, sock hops, bunny hops, carhops, leadership positions, and college dreams. Mary Alice attended Thornton Fractional High School in Calumet City, Illinois where she was fondly known as "Mickey". In high school, Mary Alice was a graceful leader as the Junior Class Vice-President, Student Assembly Chairman, President of the Speech Team, and President of the National Forensic League. She shared her talents as a member of the National Thespian Society, Dramatics Club, Advanced Chorus, and Presidential Advisory Board. Highlighting her high school career, Mary Alice was also inducted into the National Honor Society. One of Mary Alice's best-loved memories was when she served as the Honored Queen of Bethel No. 57 of the Illinois Order of Job's Daughters from 1956 to 1957. After graduating from high school in 1957, Mary Alice went on to Drake University in Des Moines, Iowa, majoring in Elementary Education. There she met the love of her life, Jerold "Jerry" Reed Ocker, a Mechanical Engineering student from Iowa State University and a Midshipman in the Navy Reserve Officers Training Corps. Mary Alice and Jerry were married in 1959 after he received his first commission in the Navy. They were married for 66 years and were blessed with four daughters: Diana, Linda, Alisa, and Brenda. As a young mother, Mary Alice tirelessly volunteered at school and as leader and "Cookie Mom" for her daughters' Girl Scout Troops. With her devotion to early education, Mary Alice taught at the Village Nursery Preschool for many years. She also volunteered many hours in various roles at Roscoe United Methodist Church, where was part of Mercy Angels Ministry, called MAM, visiting the home-bound with a tin of chocolate chip cookies. She was also a skilled crafter and especially enjoyed creating beautiful cross-stitch pictures for her family and friends. Some of her creations were recently showcased at the Wesley Willows Art Show. She was devoted to her family. She enjoyed spending time with her eight grandchildren and never missed an opportunity to attend an art show, band concert, or school open house. She also loved traveling with her family and enjoyed trips to Wisconsin and Michigan just as much as the big trips to Europe, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. One of the most memorable was a 50th wedding anniversary trip to Disney World with the entire family. Mary Alice was preceded in death by her parents James Arthur and Dixie Pauline Dirst; brother, George Earl Dirst; and sister, Georgianne Weitemeyer. Mary Alice is survived by her husband of 66 years Jerold Reed Ocker; brother, James Arthur Dirst II; and four daughters, Diana Sancya (Paul), Linda Rynbrandt (Ronald), Alisa Liu (Kai), and Brenda Wozniak (Mark). Mary Alice was also cherished by her eight grandchildren, Lauren, James, Sean, Thomas, Ian, Kaitlin, Matthew, and Katherine. A visitation will be held Saturday, July 26, 2025 at 9:00 AM followed by a service at 10:00 AM at the Roscoe United Methodist Church, 10816 Main Street, Roscoe, IL 61073. A graveside service will be held at 12:30 PM at Sunset Memorial Gardens, 8800 North Alpine Road, Machesney Park, IL 61115. In keeping with her spirit of generosity, donations may be made to the Roscoe United Methodist Church (https://www.roscoeumc.org/) and kindly earmarked for the Village Nursery Preschool or General Fund. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Alice Ocker, please visit our floral store.