Robert "Joe" Joseph Shockley

Last Rites At Catholic Church For Joe Shockley

Last rites of Robert Joseph "Joe" Shockley were held at the Church of the Nativity in Harrison on Aug. 8 at 10:00 a.m. with burial following in St. Mary's Cemetery here. Joe, 17, had suffered fatal head injuries when a horse fell with him the evening of July 30, and he died at West Nebraska General Hospital the following Thursday morning, Aug 4.

Father Joseph Hargarten, pastor of the church officiated at the services, with C. Robert Todd, a high School teacher of Joe's serving as lector. Louise Serres was organist, and Mrs. Todd accompanied a choir composed of Joyce and Karen Watson, Dealma Wilkie, Irene Phipps, Shirley Schaefer, Lilly Larsen, Grace Dunlap, Wayne and Larry Todd, the Revs. Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Tieszen and Bill Mann.

Pallbearers were Martin Wasserburger, Erik Swanson, Harry Serres, Jr., Andy Federle, Wayne Wasserburger and William Pile.

The church was crowded far beyond its capacity by relatives and friends of the Shockley family, but Aug. 8 was a beautiful day, and many people sat in chairs arranged outside and heard the service well through a public address system.

Joe was born in Rock Springs, Wyo., June 4, 1960. He was adopted by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Shockley of Harrison in July of 1964. A coming junior at Sioux County High School, he had lettered in both football and wrestling, was a member of the chorus, Future Farmers of America, and the Rodeo Club. He was a member of the Catholic Youth Organization and had served as an altar boy.

When fatally injured, Joe was at a task he had grown to love, that of working with livestock and ranching.

Images & Attachments

Related/Linked Records