Hershel Raymond Hancock

Hershel Raymond Hancock, of Sheridan, Ark., was born April 25, 1938 at Alpine, Ark. (Clark County), the son of the late Winfred A. and Euple Jones Hancock. He served in the United States Army Reserves from 1961-1963, with one of those years active duty at Ft. Benning, Ga.. Hershel was a member of Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Sheridan and was retired from International Paper Company where he worked from 1963-1974 and again from 1987-2002. From 1974-1986 he worked for Alcoa. Among his duties was teaching pipe fitting fabrication at International Paper Co. and he taught a pipe fitting multicraft cross-training class at Alcoa. You may have noticed a "missing" year in his work timeline between 1986-1987. It wasn't spent idle. That was the year that Hershel, and his good friend Robert "Yates" Withers, concentrated all their efforts on squirrel hunting. When he wasn't working, Hershel spent most of his time outdoors, either at the cabin that he and his dad built on the old homeplace at Alpine, or at his 4-wheeler riding retreat at Limestone. He enjoyed hunting at home in Arkansas, and made trips to Colorado elk hunting and deer hunting in Illinois. When he absolutely had to stay inside, he liked to read and work Sudoku puzzles. He had a memorable smile, a quick wit and always had a comeback. With all of that mentioned, the greatest joy in his life was definitely his family. He made so many lifelong memories with Margaret and his kids and grandkids. Hershel was tenacious and there isn't much that he wouldn't tackle head-on. His faith in God was the most important thing in his life and he is having a great reunion in Heaven today. Hershel died Friday, April 17, 2015 at his home in Sheridan, surrounded by his family, at the age of 76. Survivors include his wife and best friend of almost 51 years, Margaret Michael Hancock of Sheridan; son and daughter-in-law, Stanley and Suzie (Bahn) Hancock of East End; daughter and son-in-law, Stephanie (Hancock) and Paul Ochel of Dallas, Texas; sisters, Reba (Hancock) Altom of Star City, Barbara (Hancock) Mays and husband Wayne of Siloam Springs; grandchildren, Katelyn and Carley Hancock, Spencer and Audrey Ochel; Numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and many, many, friends. Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m., Monday, April 20, 2015 at Calvary Missionary Baptist Church in Sheridan with Bro. Terry Williams, Bro. Paul Roberts, and Bro. Vance Nutt officiating. Graveside services will be at 3:30 p.m. at Alpine Cemetery in Clark County. Visitation is Sunday, 3-5 p.m. at the funeral home. Pallbearers: Robert Withers, Ronnie Nutt, Don Hardin, Gerald Loyd, Dale Wilkinson and Paul Ochel. Honorary pallbearers: Dewey Howell and Robert Boyd. Memorials may be made to Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, P.O. Box 34, Sheridan, Ark. 72150. Arrangements by Memorial Gardens Funeral Home of Sheridan (870) 942-1306. To sign the online guestbook: www.memorialgardenssheridan.com.