Obituary of John J. Pocklington

John Joe Pocklington, 61, was born in Waukegan, Illinois on August 31, 1961, to James and Geraldine (McDowell) Pocklington of Winthrop Harbor, Illinois. He earned his diplomas from Elderton High School, PA in 1978; and Lenape Vocational Technical School of Ford City, PA in 1980.

He worked as an extremely skilled Welder and Metal Fabricator, distinguishing himself as having an eye for detail. In 2012, he suffered from heart complications which refrained him from returning to work at Holland Manufacturing, Inc. John battled against heart disease for 10 years before the Lord called him home on the morning of October 3, 2022. John believed in enjoying life to the fullest. He loved fishing, being outdoors, jamming to music, testing the limits of life, but most of all, he loved his grandchildren. He was a child at heart who would bring a smile to everyone’s face with his humor, shenanigans, and enthusiasm for life. If you didn’t know John, you didn’t know the definition of fun. No matter what life decided to throw his way, he lived by one simple rule, “Just keep smiling!”

He is survived by his late wife – Shirley C. T. (60); Daughter – Angela Marie Pocklington (34); Son – Joshua Joseph Pocklington (32); Five grandsons – Anthony Earl Ranke (15), Zacchaeus Andrew Ranke (14), Gideon Von Wasik (8), Camden Joseph Pocklington (2), and Chase Daniel Pocklington (1); One brother, three sisters, and seven nieces and nephews. He is preceded in passing by James Pocklington Sr., Geraldine (McDowell) Pocklington, and James Pocklington Jr.

An open Visitation for friends and family will be held Friday October 7, 2022 at 4:30pm in Zion, IL at Congdon Funeral Home 3012 Sheridan Road Zion, IL 60099, followed by service at 6pm.