Shirley Marie Ocker

Major Shirley Marie Ocker, US Air Force Nurse Corps, Retired, age 79, of Niceville, FL passed away Sunday Jun 2, 2019 with her special friends Rick and Joyce Deal by her side at Fort Walton Beach Medical Center. Shirley was born in Bellevue, OH, Nov 21, 1939 to the late Marion A and Marie Rose Ocker.

Shirley’s passion was nursing, beginning by attending St Vincent’s School of Nursing and then working at St Vincent’s hospital as a Staff nurse and Head nurse in the orthopedic unit. She joined the Air Force in 1969, continuing her nursing career with various assignments to Wilford Hall, TX, Goose Bay Labrador Canada, Luke AFB, AZ to Elmendorf, AK, March AFB, CA, and finally to Eglin AFB, FL where she retired in 1989. Shirley paused her career long enough along the way to obtain a BS Nursing Degree in 1976 from California State University. From Orthopedic nursing to charge nurse in a surgical unit to internal medicine clinic to outpatient nursing she loved the challenge and the individuals she cared for. Even after retirement she found a new challenge getting her BS in Computer Programming from Troy State in 1993. Shirley decided to finally retire in 1999 and enjoyed her many hours of gardening, lawn work, her pets, time with friends, and watching Ohio State Football.

Shirley is survived by her sister – Mary Curphey of Melbourne, Fla. Brother Larry Ocker and his wife Mary Jane of Bellevue, OH. Brother Marty Ocker and his partner Manny of Palm Bay, FL. She is survived by many nieces and nephews spread across the US.

Many thanks to her dear close friends Rick and Joyce who cared for her as if she was family for many years. Special thanks to the caregivers at the Manor of Bluewater Bay and the CCU nurses at Twin Cities Hospital for their loving care and compassion

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Alaqua Animal Refuge, Freeport, FL. A Memorial service will be held at McLaughlin Twin Cities Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 18th at 11:00 am, visitation prior to service. Interment will take place at Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola NAS, FL with military honors at a future date. Expressions of sympathy may be viewed or submitted online at www.mclaughlintwincities.com

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