Maurine Verna Ockert

     Maurine Verna "Mo" Ockert, age 89, of Allegan, MI, passed away Wednesday, September 23, 2026, at Briarwood Assisted Living, Allegan, MI.

     A Celebration of Life will be held at Smith Family Funeral Homes St. Louis, MI, from 1-4 P.M. on Saturday, October 10, 2026. Burial will take place at Riverside Cemetery, Alma, MI at a later date.

     Maurine was born in Cheboygan, Michigan on June 9, 1937, the daughter of Maurice V. and Verna (Vincent) Deering. She graduated from Alma High School with the class of 1955. Maurine married Bernard Ockert on January 22, 1983, at the First Baptist Church of Alma. Bernie passed away on July 26, 2018. They enjoyed 35 years together.

     Maurine stayed home to raise her children and worked as the librarian at the Pine Avenue School and secretary at the First Baptist Church in Alma. She went on to work at the Bank of Alma as an executive secretary, retiring after many years of service.

     More than anything she loved being with her family and looked forward to cooking for family gatherings. Maurine was supportive of her children, granddaughter and great-grandchildren in their performing arts. She enjoyed traveling and was an avid reader.

    She is survived by her children: Neil Steven (Anne) Nelson; Carl A. Ockert (Rene' Gilbert); and Kathleen V. Stroven; her granddaughter Meghan (Joshua) Elsea; and her great-grandchildren Bee, Jake and Marissa Elsea. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Bernard J. Ockert, sister Ione (James) Hunt, brother Maurice "Sonny" (Margie) Deering, son-in-law Jeffery Stroven, and her nephew Brian Hunt.

     Memorials may be made to Wings of Hope, Allegan, MI. Online condolences can be sent to www.smithfamilyfuneralhomes.com. The family is being served by Smith Family Funeral Homes, St. Louis, Michigan.