Bernard "Barney" J. Bockerman

Hastings resident, Bernard J. Barney Bockerman, 90, passed away July 7, 2015 at Perkins Pavilion, Good Samaritan Society, Hastings-Village.

Services will be Friday, July 10, 2015 at 2 pm at the Apfel Funeral Home Chapel, Hastings with Pastor Joe Bockerman officiating. Burial will be in the Concordia Cemetery, near Prosser with military rites. Visitation will be Thursday, July 9, 2015 from 7 pm to 9 pm with the family present from 7 pm to 8 pm at the Apfel Funeral Home Chapel, Hastings. Condolences may be sent to the family from, www.apfelfuneralhome.com. Apfel Funeral Home, Hastings is in charge of the arrangements.

Memorials may be given to Hastings DAV Club or the Christ Lutheran Church or School Fund, Juniata.

Barney was born November 28, 1924 the fourth son to August Gus and Iva (Currier) Bockerman in Prosser, NE, he was raised with nine siblings and an adopted Indian brother on a farm outside of Prosser. He attended Prosser Public School. Barney lied about his age to get into the Navy before WWII ended so he could join his brothers in their services to their country. He was critically injured and consequently became 90% disabled. After his discharge he went home to the farm, supplementing his income by repairing automobiles, inventing farm equipment and investing.

He married Arlene Walsh and then lived on the Topeka Farm. Although he did not have any children he helped raise 23 nieces and nephews who were fond of him.

Barney had an unforgettable laugh. You could walk into a room and know that he was there from hearing his laugh. His friends and family loved to listen to his stories and jokes up until the last day of his life. He will be dearly missed.

He was a member of the American Legion, Doniphan, the Veterans of Foreign War and Disabled American Veterans both in Hastings.

He is survived by two sisters, Bonnie McLeod of Juniata and Betty (Tommy) Robison of Springfield, MO, 10 nieces, Connie (Robert) Krebsbach of Grand Island, Janet (Ron) Amack of Lincoln, Diane (Max) Cramer of Glendale, AZ, Kay (Karol) Evans of Hastings, Linda (Mike) Kube of Grand Island, Cheryl (Kurt) Escritt of Pleasanton, Kay (Todd) Milbrath of Mounds View, MN, Tammy (Dale) Valentin of Glenvil, Ronda (Rich) McCoy of Juniata and Donna Brezina of Harrisburg, NC, 11 nephews, Duane (Pat) Hinrikus of Columbus, Ronald (Liz) Bockerman of Springfield, NE, Richard (Alice) Bockerman of Lincoln, Arlo (Marsha) Bockerman of Palmer, Tommy (Judy) Robison of Nixa, MO, Dennis Bockerman of Hastings, Victor (Teresa) of Hastings, Loren (Janet) Bockerman of Hastings, Brent (Kris) Bockerman of Omaha, Tim (Helen) Bockerman of Kearney and Joe (Sue) Bockerman of Chambers and one sister-in-law, Lorraine Bockerman of Kearney.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife Arlene, 5 brothers, Carl, Loraine, William, Mervin and Raymond Bockerman, 2 sisters, Dorothy Hinrikus and Edith Frickey and nephew Jerry Bockerman and niece Jeanette Bockerman.