Samuel E. "Sam" Hockstra, 94, of Lafayette, passed away at 9:45 a.m. on Sunday, May 11, 2014 at Life Care Center in Old Hickory, Tn. He was born on July 10, 1919 in Lafayette to the late Neil and Hessie (Vinstra) Hockstra. He attended Lafayette Jefferson High School and honorably served in the U.S. Army in the African Middle Eastern Theatre and took part in the liberation of Dachu, near Munich, Germany. He earned the Bronze Star for bravery.
Samual married Winifred Applegate on December 12, 1953 in Lafayette and she preceded him in death on December 26, 2004. He married Maxine (Deweese) Hockstra on September 3, 2005, and she survives.
Mr. Hockstra was a conductor for the Monon, CSX Railroad and Amtrak for 30 years. He was a free lance cartoonist and his cartoons appeared in the Lafayette Journal and Courier, Saturday Evening Post, and CSA/USA and others. He was also a 50 year member of Congress Street United Methodist Church, a lifetime member of the American Legion, a lifetime member of the D.A.V. (Disabled American Veterans), and the Old Rails. He was an avid bowler and golfer.
Surviving with his wife are one daughter, Alice Fisher (husband, Daniel) of Battle Ground, a son Dennis Hockstra (wife, Carolyn) of Lafayette; three step-daughters, 13 grandchildren, 19 great-grandchildren, and 5 great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by two sisters and two brothers.
Memorial visitation from 12:30 p.m. until the memorial service at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 31, 2014, at Hippensteel funeral Home, with Pastor Rev. Dr. Justin I. Schlesinger-Delvin, MSW officiating.
