David Charles Rockhill
Dave Rockhill, 79, of Whiting, also known as “Rock” or “Rocky” to his friends, passed away Saturday, June 24, 2023 at his home, surrounded by his family. Born in Trenton, he was a lifelong Cream Ridge area resident before retiring to Whiting. Dave was a graduate of Allentown High School where he was a standout basketball player.
Following high school, Dave pursued his hobby of building and racing stock cars up and down the east coast. A few years later, he was drafted by the US Army and served his country as a heavy equipment operator in the Vietnam War, building critical infrastructure projects such as roads and airstrips. Following his return from the war, Dave began his almost 50-year career at PSE&G. He never lost his love or talent for operating heavy equipment or his love of auto racing.
Dave was also a longtime member of the New Egypt Elks Lodge # 2457.
Above all, Dave was a family man. He loved and cared deeply for his wife and the love of his life, Sheila “Petie” Rockhill, who predeceased him by only a few months.
He will always be remembered by his family as a loving son, brother, husband, father, grandfather, great-grandfather, and uncle.
Son of the late Charles Edward and Margaret L. Rockhill, Dave was also predeceased by his stepsons, Peter and Todd Dancer, and by his nephew, Brian Rockhill.
Dave is survived by two daughters and sons-in-law, Kimberly and David Kalm, and Susan and Leonard Marcocci; his daughter-in-law, Debbie Dancer; his grandchildren and their spouses, Kaitlin and Avery Sheridan, Jane and Matthew Hedlund, Nicole Marcocci and Sean Freeman, and Tyler Marcocci and his partner Joe Pirrera; and his great-grandchildren, Oliver, Finneas, and Sullivan Sheridan, Rosie Hedlund, and Leo and Cru Freeman. Dave is also survived by his sister and brother-in-law, Nola and Bob Noller; and his brother and sister-in-law, Ed Rockhill and Theresa O’Shea. He also remained very close to his nieces and their families, Lisa Korneluk, Lora Noller, and Linda D’Amico, and several great nieces and nephews. In addition, Dave had many, many friends that he considered family.
A viewing will be held Friday, June 30th from 6-9pm at the Peppler Funeral Home, 114 S. Main St., Allentown. A funeral service will be held at 11am on Saturday at the funeral home. Interment will follow in Cream Ridge Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made in David’s name to the American Cancer Society (www.cancer. org) or to a charity of the donor’s choice.