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July 23, 1956-December 21, 2021:
 Kirk David Hocker, 65 of Niles, passed away in Spectrum Lakeland in Niles.
Kirk was born on July 23, 1956 in Mishawaka to Richard and Betty Lou (Mills) Hocker.
On June 10, 1978, in Niles, Kirk married Gwendolyn K. Hein, who survives.
Kirk is survived by his parents Richard (Betty) Hocker of Niles, his wife, Gwendolyn and their children; David (Katie) Hocker of Denver, NC, Jodi (Jon) Byrnes of Travelers Rest, SC, Kelly (David) Byrnes of Greer, SC, grandchildren; Logan Byrnes, Austin Byrnes, Travis Byrnes, Wyatt Byrnes, Sadie Byrnes, Levi Byrnes, Ryan Hocker, Adeline Hocker and Caroline Hocker, his brother, Mark (Laine) Hocker of North Ridgeville, OH, nephew; Wesley Hocker of South Bend, IN and niece; Melanie Hocker of North Ridgeville, OH.
Kirk was Tech Support at Horizon Global in South Bend for 43 ½ years. He was an active member of Community Baptist Church in South Bend. Kirk loved playing Golf. All who knew him, knew that he loved his Lord and Savior. Kirk was a loving husband who was proud to be called 'Papa' by his grandchildren. He was a great dad who loved his family dearly. He will be missed.
Visitation for Kirk will be on Tuesday, December 28, 2021 at Community Baptist Church 5715 Miami Rd. South Bend from 11:00 am to 12:00 pm. A funeral service will begin at 12 noon in the church. Burial will follow at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Halbritter Wickens Funeral Services 615 E. Main St. Niles.
Memorials in Kirk's name may be made to Community Baptist Church 5715 Miami Rd. South Bend, IN 46614.
On line condolences to the family may be made at www.halbritterwickens.com
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Tom Grathwohl
So sad to see this notice. I have GREAT childhood memories of Kirk and playing baseball together from FOP through NHS we played together throughout. A natural 1st baseman!! And what a wonderful family with soooo many grandchildren. GREAT guy taken way too soon. 😢 My sincere condolences to family and friends! Tjg
Dick Crocker
Sad to hear of Kirk's passing. Truly one of the nicest guys I had the pleasure of knowing growing up in Niles. We played baseball together in F.O.P. Little League and basketball at Ring Lardner. He had a positive personality and was just fun to be around. I imagine him as a great husband, father and grandfather. Too soon gone. Best wishes to his family.
Sylvester Tebo
Sorry to hear about the passing of Kirk. We lived in the same neighborhood. He lived on Marion.I lived on fourteenth st.Rex Carpenter
I didn't know Kirt very well only enough to say Hi when we were in school as I spent most of my time in the Northeast wing in the tech side of the school , but it's always hard to lose a classmate no matter how well we knew each other. May GOD BLESS HIM in his journey & love to all his family members. Kirt we will all miss you.
Mike Southworth
Probably like most, I was surprised and saddened to hear of Kirk's homegoing. Since we were a relatively small school, I knew Kirk in high school, but not all that well. I got to know him better in subsequent years, after he and his family moved into the house across the street from my dad and step-mom and it's in this role that I think of Kirk. He was a great neighbor to my dad, especially as he got older. My dad would tell me of the things Kirk would do for him and how he kind of kept an eye on him, to be sure things were OK. Since I lived pretty far away, I can't tell you how grateful I was for the care shown to my dad and step-mom; I will always be grateful.
From all I could see, Kirk was a man of faith, a man of faithfulness, a man of service, and he demonstrated the kind of character we would want to see in ourselves, our kids, our neighbors. The Kingdom of Heaven has welcomed home one of its own, but we have lost a friend.
Charles Haase
This is so hard to believe. I had just seen him at Lowe's in Niles this past May. We had talked about our familys and maybe getting together to play some golf. Of course we talked about playing baseball from playing FOP all the way thru high school. Just a real nice man. RIP Kirk
Sharon Simons (Hettinger)
I remember Kirk well. We were in a number of courses together through junior and senior high school. He was always kind, polite, and a true student/scholar. I don't think that I saw him after graduation, but when I pull out the yearbooks and remember classmates--he is one who brings a smile to my face. May God bless his family in this time of mourning, and may they know God's comfort, and that Kirk has been welcomed 'home.'
~Sharon Simons Hettinger