Marie M. Hoeckner

Marie M. Hoeckner, 83, of Watervliet, passed away on Thursday, August 31, 2006, at Lakeland Regional Medical Center in St. Joseph. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 11:00 A.M., on Saturday, September 2, 2006, at Lakeshore Bible Church, 3546 Evanston, Coloma with Pastor Skip Mazzucco officiating. Entombment will follow in North Shore Memory Gardens, Coloma. Friends may visit with the family from 5:00 to 8:00 P.M., on Friday, September 1, 2006, at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph. Memorial donations may be made to American Heart Association. Friends may send the family a condolence message or sign the guest book on-line at www.starks-menchinger.com. Marie was born to Fernando and Genieve (Holtz) Aviles on April 25, 1923 in Benton Harbor. Marie worked for F & M Bank in Benton Harbor for many years. She married Jack Hoeckner on December 4, 1965 in Benton Harbor. She enjoyed gardening, reading and visiting with family and friends. Marie will be sadly missed by her family and friends. Marie is survived by her children, Karen (Wesley) Chamberlin of Tennessee, Barbara (Rex) Allen of Florida, Carol (Rene) Secor of Dowagiac, Peggy (Dick) Wagner of Elkhart, IN, and Michael (Sue) Dahms of Coloma; sixteen grandchildren; twenty great-grandchildren; ten great-great-grandchildren; brothers, Fernando and Thomas Aviles; and sisters, Mariana Kirkeby, Helen Crane, and Margaret Gillette. Marie was preceded in death by her husband, Jack; parents; one son, Robert Dahms; two grandchildren; three brothers; and two sisters.