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BOURBON – Leo R. “Ike” Bocko, 91, Bourbon, passed away at 4:10 a.m. Nov. 24, 2014, at Warsaw Meadows Care Center, with his family at his side. He was born April 17, 1923, in Mishawaka, to Leo K. and Marie G. Harris Bocko. On Sept. 26, 1942, at Camp Edwards, Falmouth, Mass., he married Betty Jane Petty, his wife of 72 years, who survives. He attended Saint Michael’s School in Plymouth as a child. He enlisted in the United States Army in 1941. He was the oldest living World War II member of the Bourbon American Legion Post #424. After being hospitalized for spinal meningitis, and being given just one year to live, he was honorably discharged Oct. 2, 1943. After his recovery, he and Betty moved to the Plymouth area. With the help of his stepfather, Mike (William Walter) Williamson, he was hired as a Bourbon police officer. He, his wife and their two oldest children then moved to their current home in Bourbon where they have been residents since. He took a night supervisor’s job at Heat Treet Inc. in South Bend, where he worked until retirement. He later worked at his daughter’s restaurant, The Red Door, in Bourbon. “Ike,” as he was called, was known for his love of building and racing cars. He built his famous “Purple People Eater” midget dragster, where he was top eliminator many times at Bunkerhill Drag Strip. He brought home many impressive trophies and was labeled “The Man to Beat” at the drag strip. He also raced for a time at Warsaw Speedway. He owned and exhibited antique gas engines for many years and was a member of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association. He loved pulling his engines in area parades. Also surviving are four daughters: Jane (spouse the late Jesse) Hartung, Plymouth; Linda (and spouse Sherman) Stevens, Bourbon; Patricia (and spouse Richard) McGriff, Waurika, Okla.; Carol Ann (and spouse Gary) Buday, Stigler, Okla.; three sons: Mike (and spouse Donna) Bocko, Bourbon; James (and spouse Christina) Bocko, Wyatt; and Robert (and spouse Krista) Bocko, Noblesville; 14 grandsons; 17 granddaughters; 34 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by an infant son and a brother, Donald G. Bocko. He will be greatly missed by all. Services will be at 1 p.m. Saturday at Deaton-Clemens Funeral Home, Bourbon, with Pastor Bonnie Shoaf officiating. Military Honors will be conducted by the Bourbon American Legion at the conclusion of the funeral services at the funeral home. Calling is from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday at the funeral home. ***** Condolences may be left at deatonclemensfh.com
