He is a graduate of Fairview High School, Harvard University and Cornell School of Medicine. He served his residency in Ophthalmology at Ohio State.
He is preceded in death by his parents, Bertha and Harold Bockoven; and by his first wife, Annette.
John is survived by his wife, Nancy Bockoven; son, J.R. (Brenda) Bockoven; stepdaughter, Suzanne (Steve) Benner; sister, Susan Flee; grandchildren, Benjamin (Emi) Bockoven, Samantha (Nathaniel) Tamminga, Jones Assink, Andrew Benner, Ryan (Tessa) Benner, and Emma (Jordan) McKenzie; great grandchildren, Wesley Tamminga, Asher McKenzie, Rory McKenzie, Rain McKenzie, Arbor McKenzie and Cove McKenzie; nephews, Kenneth Flee, Steven Flee, Jimmy Flee and Adam Flee.
John loved the Lord and lived by his Word. He had a great sense of humor. He loved to travel, garden, hike and dance. He loved animals and his pets, Molly and Dolly. John lived by faith, family and friends.
Memorial services will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026 at 11:00 am at Tobias Funeral Home, 5471 Far Hills Ave. with Rev. Jordan McKenzie officiating.
Private interment will occur in Pleasant Hill Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be sent to Ohio’s Hospice of Dayton, 324 Wilmington Ave., Dayton, OH 45420 www.HospiceofDayton.org
