Mrs. Stock was a member of St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL. Verna was brought up in the Catholic faith at St. Clare’s Parish in O’Fallon IL. Upon moving to Belleville with her husband and growing family, she was a member of St. Teresa’s Parish. As an active member of that parish, she was in the Young at Heart Club, St. Teresa Mothers’ Club, a Cub Scout leader and participated in many other parish activities. Verna served as a den leader for Pack 19 for over 20 years. She received the Pelican Scouting Award in recognition of her dedication to Catholic Scouting. Verna was proud to be the mother of two Eagle Scouts as well as the grandmother of two Eagle Scouts. She began volunteering for St. Elizabeth’s Hospital Auxiliary in 1986 and continued for more than 30 years. A life-long gardener, born with a “green thumb”, she loved to raise flower and vegetable gardens. After moving out to the country near Millstadt, she added tending to her chickens as a daily chore. Verna was an accomplished baker and cook, taking pride in preparing all of her family’s favorite dishes, everyone was made to feel welcome at her table. She had a special place in her heart for children. When asked to help by family and friends, she provided loving care to the countless babies and children who graced her doorstep. These friends became family to Verna and in a special way Bradley Troutman was another “son” to her.
She was preceded in death by her loving husband of 33 years, Donald L. Stock, whom she married on April 28, 1951, at St. Clare Catholic Church, O’Fallon, IL; a son, Michael Stock, Sr.; her parents, William and Mabel, nee Munie, Peach; a sister, Virginia Fulford; two brothers, George (Mona) Peach and John Peach; and nephews, David Wise, Paul Peach, Phillip Peach, Lee Peach, Todd Eschman, and Wayne Peach.
She is survived by her daughter, Dr. Nancy Marmet; two sons, Steven (Stephanie) Stock and Robert (Greta) Stock; a daughter-in-law, Karoline Stock; twelve grandchildren, Kristy (Brandon) Bazar, Michael (Sarah) Stock, Jr., Adam (Jolene) Stock, Maggie Stock (fiancé, Zach Madej), Jennifer Stock, Emily Stock (fiancé, Josh Baldwin), Robert Stock, Jr., Elizabeth Stock, Julie Stock, Steven Stock, Simon Stock, and Alexander Marmet; six great-grandchildren, William Bazar, Donald Stock, Frank Stock, Hattie Stock, Anderson Stock, and Alaina Stock; four brothers, Bill (Carol) Peach, Joe Peach, Frank (Diane) Peach, and Sam (Gloria) Peach; two sisters, Ruth (Jack) Wise and Jean (Art) Eschman; two sisters-in-law, Eileen Kreutzberg and Ina Peach; a brother-in-law, Tom (Adele) Fulford; numerous nieces and nephews; and many great-nieces and great-nephews.
Memorials may be made to Family Hospice, the Double H Ranch, or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Condolences may be expressed to the family online at www.rennerfh.com.
Visitation: Friends may visit the family from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, September 30, 2022, and from 12 to 1 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022, at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL.
Funeral: A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, October 1, 2022, at St. Peter’s Cathedral Catholic Church, Belleville, IL, with Fr. Godfrey Mullen and Msgr. John Myler concelebrating.
Burial will be at Lake View Memorial Gardens, Fairview Heights, IL.