Bruce is probably best know around Juniata County as the county's most dedicated Elvis Presley fan. In fact, Bruce has been collecting Elvis Memorabilia most of his adult live and has opened a museum to show it to the public.
OBITUARY for BRUCE W. ‘ELVIS’ HOCKENBERRY JR.
MIFFLIN - Bruce W. "Elvis" Hockenberry Jr., 74, of Mifflin, formerly of Port Royal, died at 8:20 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 22, 2011, at Golden Living Center William Penn, Lewistown.
Born Sept. 25, 1937, in Turbett Township, Juniata County, he was a son of the late Bruce W. Sr. and Violet R. (Eby) Hockenberry.
His first wife, Mary. G. (Crozier) Hockenberry, preceded him in death on Sept. 16, 1979. His second wife, Betty J. (Nealman) Hockenberry, preceded him in death on Jan. 3, 2003.
He also was preceded in death by one sister, Martha J. Adair.
His third wife, Lavonne A. (Baer) Hockenberry, of Mifflin, survives.
Also surviving are: two sons, William L. Hockenberry, of Butler, and Donald E. Hockenberry, of Cresson; one daughter, Mrs. Michael (Vicki) Ditzler, of Mifflintown; stepchildren, Mrs. Donald (Brenda) Bumgardner, of Burnham, Dennis Moore, of Catskill, Debbie Young, of Milroy, Daniel Moore, of Mifflin, David Moore, of Lewistown, and Mrs. Frank (Dorothy) Patrick, of Inland; one sister, Mrs. Robert (Shirley) Henry, of Mifflintown; one brother, Glenn D. Hockenberry and wife, Edna, of Port Royal; four grandchildren; nine stepgrandchildren; one great-grandchild; and one stepgreat-grandchild.
Bruce was a 1957 graduate of the Tuscarora Valley High School, Port Royal, and was a retired employee of Empire Kosher Poultry Inc., Mifflintown. He also operated his own lawn care service.
He attended the Juniata Christian Church, Turbett Township.
Bruce was known for his Elvis impersonations and his vast collection of Elvis memorabilia. He had traveled to Elvis's home in Memphis, Tenn. many times.
A funeral service will be held at 9 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2011, at Rex Funeral Home, Port Royal, with Pastor David Glick officiating.
Viewing will be held from 6 p.m. until the time of the service Tuesday at the funeral home.
Interment will be at the convenience of the family.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Rex Funeral Home, PO Box 247, Port Royal, PA 17082, to help defray funeral expenses.
MAN REALIZES LIFELONG DREAM OF ELVIS MUSEUM
August 21, 2008
By NICK MALAWSKEY Sentinel reporter
PORT ROYAL - He wears a jacket proclaiming himself the "Juniata County King."
The business motto for his grass cutting business is, "Don't get all shook up."
He's a regular at local parades, fairs and the occasional birthday party.
And in September, Bruce Hockenberry will realize a dream 27 years in the making as he officially opens the Elvis Graceland Revisited museum outside of Port Royal, on state Route 74.
It's not hard to find. Take Route 75 to Route 74 and head straight when Route 74 peels off to head up the mountain.
At the end of the driveway is a sign, proclaiming the location of the museum - not that it's hard to miss.
This is Hockenberry's house, where he has lived, collected and built upon during the years. In the yard stand two wooden sheds, which hold part of the collections he has made his life's work.
One is a small museum his wife, Bonnie, has put together, called Dollywood, which is dedicated to dolls. The other shed, along with part of the home that stands behind it, is the real deal, his pride and joy - a little slice of Graceland, lifted up and put down in Juniata County.
Inside, a kaleidoscope of color and sounds emanates from every corner and every wall.
Hockenberry is a bouncing bundle of Elvis energy as he walks around his minimuseum, a tribute to the King of Rock and Roll.
There are Elvis photos, Elvis dolls, Elvis trains and even a life-sized cutout of the King.
As you walk through the Elvis room, the voice of Presley floats through the maze of miniatures.
"Hey, this is Elvis," says the husky voice, as if there could be any doubt who the distinctive voice belongs to.
It's a tribute to Bruce as much as it is to the king, a collection of memorabilia of both men's lives - Elvis, and the Port Royal man who has followed the king most of his life.
There are photos of Bruce buying the first Elvis stamps sold in Juniata County, as well as photos of his family and friends. And of course, on every wall, photos abound of the black-haired, brown-eyed boy with the voice as rich as a pair of blue suede shoes.
"I just want to share this, so everyone can have fun with this," Hockenberry said as he leads one of his first tours. "I worked for a lifetime building this."
The museum is not for Bruce to make money. He doesn't charge admission and he's not selling anything. Instead he said, it's his contribution to the community he has grown up in and loves.
"I'm proud to be part of this community," Hockenberry said with a grin.
The items are collected by his friends and family, and of course by himself on his pilgrimages to Graceland.
All Bruce wants for people is summed up in one quote: "All you have to do is have fun with it and enjoy it."
And it's hard not to smile along with Bruce. He exudes happiness, pride and energy for Elvis.
Inside the museum he pulls out a heavy leather belt, made for him by Mike McGregor, the same man who made Elvis' belts and saddles.
"This is one of a kind," he said, as he puts on the belt over his favorite Elvis T-shirt, completing the look with his Elvis shades.
Hockenberry said he started following Elvis after seeing him on the Ed Sullivan show in 1956. He's visited Graceland countless times, and has had birthday cakes cut by Vester Presley, Elvis's uncle.
Bruce and Bonnie were even married by Elvis The Rev. Elvis that is.
And Elvis even has been in Juniata County.
Hockenberry, full of Elvis lore, explained that one time, as he was traveling to a show in New York, the King had a flat tire and stopped in Port Royal to have it changed. Two local men also served with him in the Army.
But the museum is as much about fun as it is about history.
The room inside the house rocks with the sounds of Elvis as trains circle around a miniature amusement park, Elvis themed.
Bryan Baker, another Juniata County Elvis aficionado, will be one of the trustees for the collection, he said.
"If you're an Elvis fan, this is the place to come, isn't it Bruce?" Baker asked.
"Oh yes, this is it," Hockenberry responded.
As Hockenberry leaves the museum, the voice of Elvis, husky and smooth, floats through the air one last time.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 6/12/24 - Image Year: 1957
TVHS CLASS of 1957 GRADUATION PICTURE: FRONT ROW (L - R): Donna Welshonse, Leon Harbst, Amelia Hartman, Ray Kohler, Janice McClure, Donald Gilliland, Louann Groninger; MIDDLE ROW: Bruce Hockenberry, Nancy McCahan, Glen "Skip" Kepner, Marianna Hartman, Jonathan Boyer, Audrey Bashore, Donald Fike; BACK ROW: Lena "Jackie" Goodman, Donna Boyer, Larue Strawser
Contributed by rkohler3 on 9/13/09 - Image Year: 2008
Bruce Hockenberry is shown in his Elvis Museum in 2008.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 3/1/10 - Image Year: 1957
Bruce as a senior at Tuscarora Valley.
Contributed by rkohler3 on 10/19/10 - Image Year: 2010
Bruce Hockenberry in the 2010 Old Home Days Parade in Port Royal.
