Elwyn D. Hock, of Sunbury, Ohio, passed away peacefully at home on April 11, 2025 at the age of 84 after an extended illness.
Elwyn was born in Dallas Center, Iowa on March 2, 1941 to the late Laban and Annie Hock. Elwyn was the eldest son on the family’s dairy farm where he learned the value of hard work and family values. He attended Messiah College in Pennsylvania and graduated from business college in Fort Wayne, Indiana with a degree in Accounting. He was the controller for several construction companies in Indiana, Michigan and Ohio. From 1974-1979 Elwyn served as a missionary in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) where he managed the Motopo Book Center responsible for importing Christian books, textbooks, and supplies for schools throughout the country. The family’s time in Rhodesia ended abruptly when rebels, involved in the civil war, made threats to the family. Upon his return to the United States, Elwyn was appointed Executive Director for the Board of Media Ministries overseeing 16 Christian bookstores and the Evangel Press for the Brethren in Christ Church. Later, Elwyn was a partner in the development of Hunters Green allotment in Bolivar, Ohio and helped build many homes.
As a young man Elwyn placed his faith in the saving grace of Jesus. He served as an elder at First Friends Church in Canton, Ohio and in recent years has been a member of Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene in Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Elwyn was passionate about his family, horses, and roses – stealing away to play in the dirt every moment he could.
Elwyn was loved by his wife, Elizabeth, to which they shared 38 wonderful years. He will also be greatly missed by his children; Beth (Steve) Colangelo of Sugar Hill, GA, Randy (Carrie) Hock of Millersville, PA, and stepchildren; Jonathan (Tracey) Thiessen of Coto de Caza, CA, Jeremy Thiessen of Mt. Sterling, KY, Sarah (Todd) Lint of North Canton, OH, Matthew Thiessen of Nashville, TN, and Jessica (Marc) Long of Sunbury, OH. Elwyn delighted in being a grandfather and was blessed with 17 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren (one deceased). Elwyn is also survived by his six siblings and many nieces and nephews.
The family thanks the many friends and neighbors for their support during this time.
A family burial will take place at the Kokosing Natural Preserve in Gambier, Ohio. All are welcome to attend a Celebration of Elwyn’s Life at Lakeholm Chuch of the Nazarene located at 16001 Glen Rd., Mt. Vernon, Ohio on Saturday, May 3, 2025 at 1:30pm. Friends are invited to join the family at a reception following the service.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to Campus Crusade (www.give.cru.org).
And there will come a day when I’ll hold you close
No more tears to cry ‘cause we’ll have forever
But I’ll say goodbye just for now
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The Snyder Funeral Homes are honored to serve the family of Elwyn D. Hock.