Philip Mock

Philip H. Mock

FRAZEYSBURG: Philip H. Mock, "The Yodeler", 84, of Frazeysburg passed on Thursday evening, October 22, 2015 at his home, surrounded by his devoted family.

Born October 1, 1931 in Pleasant Grove, Ohio, he was a son of the late Charles and Mary (Wilson) Mock. After 10 years of pursuing her, he married the love of his life and wife of 55 years, Darliss (Barr) "Sugar Babe". They started their family and raised four "boys" on their dairy and grain farm in Shannon Valley. Phil also enjoyed welding and repairing for friends and neighbors. He was a "fixer", always looking for ways to change or improve most anything. If it was broken, Phil could fix it. Phil was severely injured while riding a horse early in his farming career, which plagued him most of his adult life. He required numerous surgeries, including the amputation of his leg, but that did not slow him down.

Phil also enjoyed singing and yodeling, winning yodeling contests while filling the streets of Sugar Creek's Swiss Festivals, along with his sheltie dog, Jody. He never made it to Nashville for a performance or recording of his own, but would always yodel to his waitress in local restaurants and to any child he met.

Phil was a member of the Frazeysburg United Methodist Church, and both Richvale Grange and Muskingum County Pomona Grange where he held numerous offices over the years. He was a member of the Muskingum County Farm Bureau and received the 'Young Farmer of the Year' award. As a member of the Muskingum County Soil & Water Conservation District, he participated in several of their practices, receiving awards. He also served as a board member.

His four loving "boys" include Becky (Randy) Vansickle of Dresden, Brenda (Larry) Clemens of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Beverly Andrews of Columbus and MaryBeth (Edwardo) Sanchez of Lithia, Florida. They always kept him busy with the farm, 4-H, fair, band, sports and church activities. Phil also enjoyed teaching the ways of farming to his grandchildren, Steve (Sommer) Vansickle and Stacey (Matt) Summerfield, Michaela and Joshua Clemens, Mandy, Bryan and Christy Andrews, and Raechel and Alex Sanchez. He also cherished and loved to yodel to his "Lil Farmers", great granddaughters Adelynne Jae and Bryntlie Mae Vansickle and Kamryn Grace Summerfield. Phil was not able to greet his newborn great grandson, Allan Christopher Elder (Andrews), who was born the day prior to his death. Phil also leaves behind his sister Mary Ruth Eppley-Howell, his brother Wilbur (June) Mock and sister-in-law Mary Ruth Mock, all of Zanesville, his brother Lee Mock of Mansfield, sister-in-law Donna Melrose of Winston-Salem, North Carolina and numerous generations of nieces and nephews.

In addition to his parents, Phil is reuniting with siblings John Mock and Martha Helen Stahl, brothers-in-law Richard Eppley and Forrest Howell, sister-in-law Alita Mock, brother-in-law Don Stahl, father and mother in-law Edward and Edith Barr, brother in-law Jim Barr, Aunt Cokie Turner and son in-law Mark Andrews.

Calling hours will be 2 to 4pm and 6 to 8pm Monday, October 26, 2015 at the Frazeysburg Chapel of Vensil & Chute Funeral Home, 110 West Third Street, and also for one hour prior to the funeral service, which will be 1:00pm Tuesday, October 27, 2015 at the Frazeysburg United Methodist Church, 87 West Second Street. The Rev. Robert Mesnard will officiate. Burial will be in Zanesville Memorial Park Cemetery.

The family would like to thank their care-givers and the Hospice Home Health staff for all the dedication, care and love they've shared while helping with Phil's care. Memorial contributions may be made to Genesis Hospice Care or to the Frazeysburg United Methodist Church.

So think of Dad at the end of a long day and remember him saying that "hard work never hurt anyone, 'think' a little, and use some common sense…just because". Then, when you're gathered around the dinner table with your family, don't forget to pass the strawberry jam, and save some room for Sugar Babe's homemade pie!

To sign our online guestbook visit www.vocfh.com.