Obituaries from the Bowdle (SD) Pioneer

Burial followed at Bethany Cemetery at Hosmer with Miller Funeral Home of Bowdle in charge of arrangements.

John G. (Sparky) Stoecker was born Nov. 23, 1914 at Hosmer to Gottlieb and Katherina (Trefz) Stoecker. He attended school in Hosmer, graduating from Hosmer High School with the Class of 1933.

Following graduation he worked at the Hosmer Service Station for a number of years. He then clerked at the Hosmer Grocery Store for several years. In the early 1940s he established Stoecker Jewelry at Hosmer. In the later 40s he added electrical supplies to is stock.

He married Ida Fischer at Leola April 3, 1954. He continued to own and operate his own business in Hosmer until Aug. 23, 1993 when he became hospitalized and was eventually diagnosed with a brain tumor.

He was a lifelong and faithful member of St. John Lutheran Church of Hosmer where he served on numerous committees and was also a Sunday School teacher. He was a member of the Hosmer Civic Club and served as treasurer for a number of years. he was also a member of the Hosmer Senior Center where he held several terms as president, including the present. His work was also his hobby. He especially enjoyed working with jewelry.

Survivors include two brothers: Dewald Stoecker of Albuquerque, NM; and Albert Stoecker of Hosmer; three sisters: Mrs. Rose Haerter of Hosmer; Mrs. Matilda Eisenbeisz of Fallon, NV and Mrs. Martha Bongfeldt of Dallas, TX.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his wife of Sept. 23, 1990 and one brother.

Pallbearers were Duane Steiger and Glenn Blumhardt of Bowdle; Bruce Haerter, Arnold Wiederrich and Frank Gisi of Hosmer and Milbert Pfeifle of Leola.

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