“You have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory, in Christ, will himself perfect, confirm, strengthen, and establish you.”
 – 1 Peter 1:10
 
Wayne “Joe” Crocker, 82, of Sweet Home passed away Saturday, December 13, 2025. He was born August 22, 1943, to Myrtle (Davis) and John Franklin Crocker. Joe was one of nine children at a farm on Clark Mill Road. He was a logger for a short time and later worked at a mill in Sweet Home.
 
He attended Hwy 20 Church of Christ and was a faithful Christian. He shared his love for dogs, hunting, fishing, tying flies, woodcutting, smoking turkeys and jerky, and shooting guns with his lifelong friends and family. He lived his entire life in Sweet Home and took every opportunity to be in the countryside. Joe enjoyed the simpler things in life such as hershey chocolate bars, cooking homemade soups on his wood stove, and making a sarcastic but funny comment every now and then.
 
Joe is survived by his wife of 56 years, Beverly Jo Crocker; daughters: Angela and Tina; son-in-law Brian; siblings: Perry Crocker and LaVelle Updegrave; grandchildren: Justin, Jaden, Emma, Eva, and Joel. He is proceeded in death by his sons: Steven Crocker (1976) and Mathew Crocker (2023); siblings: Velma, Viola, Alvin, Dale, Ray, and Steve.
 
A viewing will be held from 10am to Noon at Sweet Home Funeral Chapel and followed by a 1pm graveside service at Gilliland Cemetery on Thursday, January 8, 2026. A memorial service will be announced at a later date. Sweet Home Funeral Chapel is handling the arrangements. www.sweethomefuneral.com.