Hoyt Verner Stocker, 81, of Parsons died at 7 a.m. Monday, Aug. 2, 2010, at Freeman West Hospital at Joplin.

He was born May 26, 1929, at Monett, Mo., a son of Hoyt Verner and Barbara Stocker. He attended school at Carthage and graduated from high school in 1947. On April 27, 1947, he enlisted in the Marine Corps. He was a machine gunner and served in the Korean War and Guam. He also was a part of the Marine Corps base bands. He was discharged as a staff sergeant on Sept. 7, 1956. He then returned to Parsons and attended junior college. He later attended Kansas State Teachers College in Pittsburg, graduating on June 6, 1960, with a bachelor’s degree in education and industrial arts. He later became a custom cabinet maker and for many years owned and operated Stocker Wood Products.

He was a member of the St. John’s Episcopal Church. He served on the Vestry, was a junior and senior warden, an EYC sponsor and taught Sunday school for many years. He also designed and built the altar that is used at the church.

On June 14, 1952, he married Rosealea Caulkins at the former Washington Avenue Methodist Church in Parsons. She survives of the home.

Other survivors include a son, Stephen Stocker of the home; two granddaughters, April Amos and Callie Carpenter and her husband, Ron, all of Parsons; a great-grandson, Emery Curtis of Parsons; and a brother, Bud Stocker of Florida.

He was preceded in death by two brothers, Red and Ron Stocker; and a daughter, Kathryn Woodman.

The body will be cremated. A memorial service will be at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. John’s Episcopal Church with the Rev. Sharon Billman officiating. Friends may call at the Carson-Wall Funeral Home at their convenience to register.

Memorials are suggested to the St. John’s Altar Guild and may be left at or mailed to the funeral home, P.O. Box 942, Parsons, 67357.

Online condolences may be left at www.wallfuneralservices.com.