Susan Hockenberry, age 81, passed away peacefully on April 24, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

Susan was born on November 9, 1943, in Peru, Indiana, to the late Bob and Phylis Swanson. She lived in Lafayette, Indiana and graduated from Jefferson High School. She attended Olivet Nazarene University, where she met and married the love of her life, Jim Hockenberry, on August 16, 1968.

Over the years, Susan touched countless lives through her dedication to education and service. Her employment includes teaching at Heath Middle School, transcribing for Dr. Simon at LMH, and working at Heartbeats as an administrative assistant. A creative soul, Susan also owned and operated a business making handmade baskets.  She enjoyed volunteering her time at Newark First Church of the Nazarene playing the organ,  painting murals for Vacation Bible Schools at churches she attended, and working with Wycliff Bible translations in Orlando.

Susan was first and foremost, a child of God. She enjoyed spending time with her family, shopping, coffee shops, vacations, walking, painting, reading, and attending church and Bible studies.

Susan is survived by her husband of 56 years, Jim; her children, Carrie (Lance) Gerlach; her grandchildren, Brycen and Teagan; sisters-in-law, Marilyn Hockenberry, Linda Hockenberry, Cheryl Maphies; and her nephews and their families.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother, Kerry.

A Celebration of Life will be held on July 9th at Brucker & Kishler Funeral Home. Visitation will be held from 4-5 pm with a 5pm service and dinner to follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Heartbeats of Licking County, in Susan's memory.