Sandra Kaye Hockenberry, 73, of Ashland, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed from this life on Sunday afternoon, October 25, 2026, in her home following a long illness.
She was born on January 5, 1953, in Canton, the daughter of the late Lawrence and Nancy (nee Thompson) Bonam.
Sandy graduated from East Canton High School, Class of 1971. She earned a bachelor’s degree from Ashland College; and continued with three additional years for pastoral counseling at Ashland University Seminary.
She married the love of her life, Gregory Hockenberry, on February 26, 1972. They shared many adventures together with their daughters camping nearly every summer. She had a heart for education and a love of reading.
Sandy was a devout Christian whose love of the Lord could be felt in her beautiful singing. She was a member and served at The King Road Christian Church. Sandy had a passion for music. She was an accomplished musician who loved playing 12-string guitar and is featured on a record with The Carwin Country Show. Her love of music grew with her family. Her greatest joy was watching her family grow and perform throughout the years be it through art, music, sports, or dance. An incredible baker, she specialized in cookies and cakes. She made all three of her daughters’ wedding cakes, cookies at Christmas, candies at Easter, countless bakes for friends and family and even ran her own baking business for some time. She enjoyed sewing, embroidery, crocheting, knitting, and quilting along with special craft projects with the grandkids.
She is survived by her loving husband of 54 years, Greg Hockenberry of Ashland; mother-in-law, Florence Barr of Fort Pierce, Florida; three children, Rachel (Matt) Harrington of Berea, Kerry (D.J.) Harbaugh of Massillon, Marie (Dan) Kelley of Worthington; eleven grandchildren, Mara, Cecelia, Josephine, Elliot, Laurel, Jasper, Charlie, Logan, Emma, Joseph, and Ellianne; seven siblings, Hannah (Ralph) Price, Mary (Bruce) Haines, Bill (Lynne) Bonam, Larry (Mary) Bonam, Garry (Debbie) Bonam, Amy (Ron) Gorman, and Carol (John) Mangun; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents, Sandy is preceded in death by one sister, Evelyn (Gordon) Leach.
Funeral services will be held on Saturday, October 31, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. in the King Road Christian Church with Pastor Rich Pate. Interment will be in the Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery. Family and friends may visit two hours prior to the service from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the church.
Sandy was an advocate for organ donation being a kidney transplant recipient herself. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either www.americantransplantfoundation.org or to www.hospicefoundation.org/donate/ for the selfless love and care they provide.
For those who may not be able to attend, online condolences may be shared on the funeral home’s website at denbowfh.com.
Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home & Crematory is handling the arrangements.
Funeral Home: Denbow-Gasche Funeral Home
Website: denbowfh.com