Ruby L. Kocian

Ruby L. Kocian, age 85, of West, passed away late Tuesday evening, August 16, 2016 at The Meadows in Gatesville. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00 a.m. Saturday, August 20, 2016 at St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption, with Rev. Paul Hudson as celebrant. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery. The family will receive visitors from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. Friday at Aderhold Funeral Home. Ruby was born April 28, 1931 in Riesel, the daughter of Henry W. and Lydia (Lehrmann) Schroeder. She attended schools in Riesel and Axtell. She was united in marriage to Bernard A. Kocian on May 15, 1948 in Waco. Bernard preceded her in death on December 19, 2005. Ruby worked for JM Woods Manufacturing in Waco for many years and retired from K-Mart Department Store. She also did babysitting for family and was the custodian for West Fraternal Auditorium. Ruby was a faithful member of St. Mary's Catholic Church of the Assumption. She loved cooking, quilting, gardening and especially spending time with her family. Ruby is also preceded in death by her parents; a daughter, Alinda Fickel; a grandson, Robert A. Kocian; brothers, Irvin Schroeder, and Raymond Schroeder; and sisters, Esther Perry, Hertha Ingold and Della Resnicek; and two infant siblings. Survivors include sons, Roger Kocian and wife Velma of Bellmead and Michael Kocian and wife Sandra of Kingwood; daughters, Lydia Itani and husband Mohamad Ali of Rowlett, Delores Jones and husband Robert of Atascadero, CA, and Elaine Shipley and husband Harry of Jonesboro; a son-in-law, Kenneth Fickel; a brother, Gilbert Schroeder; a sister, Evelyn Huschka; 15 grandchildren; 22 great-grandchildren; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives. Active pallbearers are Harry Shipley, Mohamad Ali Itani, Bob Jones, Travis Itani, Rami Itani, Michael Hislope, Dusty Leutwyler and Juston Kampe. Honorary pallbearers are Kenneth Fickel, David Fickel, Aaron Kocian and Brett Jones. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the charity of your choice. The family would like to thank all caregivers from The Meadows Nursing Home and Kindred Hospice Care for all of their love and support to Ruby and her family.