Verna I. “Gene” Gockel, 97, of Lincoln, passed away on September 13, 2017.

Verna was born on July 9, 1920 in Boynton Center,IL; the daughter of Hermon and Sarah “Sadie” (Miller) Seaton.

 

She married Harold Gockel on December 8, 1945 in Pontiac, IL. He preceded her in death on March 16, 2006.

 

Gene and her husband farmed in the Elkhart and Mt. Pulaski area until their retirement.

Verna is survived by her children, Terri (Glenn) Shanle of Lincoln, Twila (William) Muhlach of Murphysboro, IL, George (Barbara) Emmons of Athens, AL, Galen (Teresa) Emmons of Columbia, SC; 16 grandchildren; 20 great-grandchildren; 2 great great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, three brothers: Sanford, James, and Hermon Jr, five sisters: Leone Brennemann, Margaret Herhamer, Elsie Parr, Thelma Irwin, and Martha Tisdale, and three grandchildren.

 

Verna was a member of St. John United Church of Christ.

 

She loved spending time with her family especially her birthday reunions.

 

Graveside services for Gene will be 2:00 p.m. Monday September 18, 2017 at Old Union

Cemetery in Lincoln, IL with Rev. Kenneth Kramer officiating. The family request that in Lieu of flowers memorials may be made to Memorial Medical Hospice or St. John United Church of

Christ.