John M. Prock

john prock

December 9, 1929 ~ May 7, 2020

Born in: Merrill, WI
Resided in: Candler, NC

John M. Prock, 90, passed away Thursday, May 7, 2020, at the CarePartners Solace Center, Asheville, NC.

John was born December 9, 1929, in Merrill, WI, to the late Martin John and Catherine Hubley Prock. He served our country in Korea with 82nd Airborne, US Army, and he was a graduate of St. Patrick High School, Eau Claire, WI and the Wisconsin School of Mortuary Science, Division of Marquette University, Milwaukee.

He dedicated his career to serving bereaved families as a funeral director, having been associated with the family firm in Eau Claire, WI, then as sole owner of Prock Funeral Home in Prescott, WI, and later managing Range Funeral Home in Hibbing, MN. He and his wife Mary moved to Asheville in the mid-1980s where he was associated with Groce Funeral Homes for a number of years. They are members of St. Joan of Arc Catholic Church.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years, Mary Betzel Prock; daughters, Kathleen Prock, Elizabeth “Beth” Anderson, TouSain Gress (Steve) and Jean Loebrick (Scott); sons, Robert J. Prock (LeAnn) and Thomas J. Prock; nine grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his brother, Michael J. Prock, and his sister, Virginia Mary Irmiter.

The Rev. Fr. Dean Cesa will officiate at a Scripture Service at 2:00 p.m. Wednesday at Groce Funeral Home on Patton Avenue, Asheville .

Burial will be at Pine Glen Cemetery in Prescott, WI.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Manna Food Bank, 627 Swannanoa River Road, Asheville, NC 28803 or to the Salvation Army, 204 Haywood Street, Asheville, NC 28801, or to the Wounded Warriors Project https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/.

Services

Prayer Service: May 13, 2020 2:00 pm

Groce Funeral Home - Patton Ave.
1401 Patton Ave.
Asheville, NC 28806

(828)252-3535
http://www.grocefuneralhome.com

Army Veteran

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  1. John was the most compassionate, kind and gentle man. I will never forget his care for bereaved families. He always talked about his uncle, the Father! May John dance with the angels!

  2. My thoughts, prayers, and love go out to the family at this time. John will be missed by all who knew him. I will never forget all the love, care, and help he gave our family when first my dad, and then my mom passed. Truly a good man who lived a good life.

  3. My thoughts and sympathy to the Mary and the entire Prock family. John was so very kind to our family when we lost our parents. I’ll never forget how helpful he was to us.

    Take care and God bless.
    Anne Gress

  4. I have such fond memories of visiting with John here in Oak Ridge and Asheville. He was such a loving and humorous man. He and Mary should be so proud of the family they raised. Our love and prayers go out to Mary and the whole family.

    Love Cindy, Lane, Tyler and Nicki Moncourtois

  5. My heart goes out to Johns family. Such a great man, and a kind and wonderful person. Rest well my friend, I will never forget you

  6. we are so sorry for the loss of your husband and father. prayers and sympathies to the family.

  7. So sorry to hear about John’s passing.
    I always was impressed by John’s kindness. I know that my Dad, Robert Betzel, always enjoyed talking with John. Mary, as you know, Dad was an only child, so we got to know all of the Betzels as cousins, or Uncle-Uncle Joe, Uncle Frank, Uncle Marvin, Uncle Charlie, etc.
    May John rest in peace.
    Wally and Carol Betzel, River Falls, Wisconsin

  8. Mary, We have often thought of John and you over the years. We want to offer our condolences. Peter and Jennifer Burla. (Peter worked at Range Funeral Home in Virginia. We visited you in Asheville many years ago.)


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