John Bocka

John W. Bocka, 87, of Mansfield, died Friday, October 10, 2014 at Winchester Terrace Nursing Home. John was born in Weehawken, NJ on August 14, 1927 and happily lived most of his life in Leonia, New Jersey. He gave his mom one of her best birthday presents when he was baptized on her birthday on September 26, 1948. While in NJ, he attended the Apostolic Christian Church in Woodcliff Lake. He was a minister there from January 1, 1964 until retiring and moving to Mansfield, Ohio in 1999 where he has attended the Apostolic Christian Church on Middle Bellville Road. He loved his family and made it no secret that he also loved Scripture and loved praising God. He loved everyone he came in contact with as well, but had a special place in his heart for widows and helped care for them wherever he was living.

He loved serving people and was glad to be called a servant of God. He lived his life as Paul encouraged us in Hebrews 12:1-2 "Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith." Recent health issues made this more difficult to do physically, but he never stopped praying for others, even when he could only get out one word with each breath. He amazed his doctors with how he fought to survive two heart attacks in two months - living out some other words of Paul in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. 8 And now the prize awaits me - the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me."

His smile and voice with be missed by many. Know he is looking forward to meeting and eating a meal with loved ones again at his new home in Heaven.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, Mary (Patrishkoff) Bocka of Mansfield; sons, Joseph (Elizabeth) Bocka of Ontario, Peter (Corrine) Bocka of Misson Viego, CA, and David (Debbie) Bocka of Huntsville, AL; grandchildren, Taylor and Laurel Bocka of Ontario, Allyse and Andrew Bocka of California, Jessica (David) Biron of Alabama, and Steven (Lena) Correll of New Jersey; great grandchildren, Abby and Caleb Biron; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Along with his parents, he was preceded in death by his brothers, Herbert and Paul Bocka and sister, Elda Haag.

Friends may call Wednesday, October 15, 2014 from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors, 100 S. Lexington-Springmill Rd., Ontario. Funeral services will be held Thursday, October 16, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at the Apostolic Christian Church, 1332 Middle Bellville Rd., Mansfield. Burial will follow in Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to the Apostolic Christian Church.