Wesley Hochgraber Obituary 

A Life of Grit, Grace, and Generosity 

Born: April 25, 1922, Adams County, Illinois
Died: September 10, 2003, Quincy, Illinois (Age 81)

Early Life and Family Roots

Wesley Andrew Hochgraber was born on a quiet spring day in 1922 in rural Adams County, Illinois, to Esra and Dorothy (Blickhan) Hochgraber. Raised during the shadow of the Great Depression, Wes learned the values of hard work and resourcefulness early on, attending local Adams and Webster schools before graduating from Quincy High School in 1940.

His childhood was filled with a deep love for animals—a passion that would stay with him for life. As a young boy, he kept pet squirrels and would later raise a diverse menagerie including dogs, a monkey, two pet foxes, and a clever crow that flew to greet him each day after work. This affection for animals became a legacy passed to his daughters and grandchildren.

Answering the Call to Serve

In October 1942, as World War II engulfed the world, Wes enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces. He served honorably until January 1946 with the 93rd Airdrome Squadron, stationed across the Pacific Theater—in Australia, New Guinea, and the Philippines. His distinguished service earned him two Bronze Battle Stars, a testament to his resilience and courage under fire.

Wes documented his experiences in letters and photographs, later archived as part of the family’s legacy. His time in the service left an indelible mark, shaping his worldview and giving him a deep appreciation for peace, purpose, and home.

Marriage, Family, and Faith

On September 23, 1950, Wes married the love of his life, Elizabeth “Betty” Roehl, in Carthage, Illinois. Together, they built a life rooted in love, respect, and adventure—celebrating 50 years of marriage in 2000.

They raised two daughters, Sandra Sue (Whittaker) and Carol Ann (Keller), and became proud grandparents to Shaun, Heather, and Sarah. Wes was a devoted family man, deeply involved in the lives of his children and grandchildren.

Faith anchored his life—Wes was an active member of Madison Park Christian Church and its EverReady Class. He also belonged to Elks Lodge #100 in Quincy, enjoying fellowship and service to his community.

A Life of Movement—Literally

After returning from the war, Wes charted his own path by founding a house-moving business in 1946. Over the decades, he became well known across Illinois and Missouri for his precision and ingenuity in moving structures. He played a pivotal role in relocating buildings during the construction of U.S. Route 24 between Palmyra and Monroe City, Missouri.

His expertise extended to historic preservation as well. Wes helped move log cabins to Quinsippi Island for the Quincy Park District and was instrumental in transporting the Quincy Historical Society's log cabin to its location at 13th and State in 2002. After the great flood of 1973, Wes assisted in raising dozens of camps along the bay, further cementing his status as a man who got things done.

He also contributed to local industry by moving machinery and heavy equipment for factories in Quincy and Hannibal, and even helped repair the steeple of Salem Church—no task was ever too big or too high.

Adventures and Friendships

Wes and Betty embraced life with a spirit of adventure. In retirement, they toured the United States in their motorhome, often wintering in the warm climes of Arizona and Florida. Their love of travel took them overseas as well, including multiple trips to the Netherlands to visit lifelong friends.

Wherever he went, Wes made people feel welcome. He never met a stranger and was beloved for his humor, warmth, and unshakable integrity.

Legacy

Wes passed away peacefully at home on September 10, 2003, at the age of 81. He was surrounded by the love of his family and the memories of a full and meaningful life.

He is survived by:

• His wife of 53 years, Betty Hochgraber

• His daughters, Sandra Sue Whittaker (Roger) and Carol Ann Keller (Ken)

• Grandchildren: Shaun Whittaker, Heather Keller, and Sarah Keller

• Brothers: Virgil Hochgraber (Ramona) and Earl Hochgraber (Joan)

• Numerous nieces and nephews

He was preceded in death by his parents and his brother, Edgar “Ted” Hochgraber, who was killed in action in France on August 14, 1944.

Final Farewell

A memorial service was held at Madison Park Christian Church on Monday, with Rev. Larry Smith, Rev. Keith Ehresman, and Rev. Dennis Hochgraber officiating. Wesley was laid to rest in Greenmount Cemetery in Quincy, Illinois—home to the stories he helped build, the people he loved, and the legacy he leaves behind.

In Memory Wesley "wes" Andrew Hochgraber

Wesley Andrew Hochgraber, 81, of 3304 Harrison died at 6:45PM Wednesday (September 10, 2003) in his home.

Borlin April 25, 1922 in Adams County, he was a son of Esra and Dororthy Blickhan Hochgraber.  He married Elizabeth "Betty" Roehl on Sept 23, 1950, in Carthage.  She survives.  Wes and Betty celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 2000.

Wesley attended Adams and Webster schools and graduated from Quincy High School in 1940.  His served his country in the U.S. Air Force from October 4, 1942 to January 6, 1946, with the 93rd Airdrone Squadron in Australia, New Guinea and the Philippines, receiving two Bronze Battle Starts.  

Wes was a member of Madison Park Christian Church and the EverReady Class.  He was also a member of the Elks Lodge 100 in Quincy.  Wes and Betty traveled extensively throughout the United States in their motorhome, wintering in Arizona and Florida.  They made several trips to the Netherlands to visit friends there.

Wes always had a love for animals.  From the time he was a small boy he had pet squirrels.  He later had a dog, a monkey, tow pet foxes (which he raised from pups) and a pet crow, who would fly to meet Wes every night coming home from work.  He passed his love of animals to both his daughters and his grandchildren.  

Wes was self employed in the house moving business, starting in 1946.  He moved houses extensively in Illinois and Missouri. particularly moving all of the building on the right-of-way for the State of Missouri from Palmyra to Monroe City for construction of U.S. 24.  He was instrumental in the moving of the log cabin to 13th and State for the Quincy Historical Society in 2002.  He also moved several log cabins to Quinsippi Island for the Quincy Park District and raised many camps along the bay after the flood of 1973.  He moved machinery and equipment for many of the industrial factories of Quincy and Hannibal, Mo., and was instrumental in repairing the steeple of Salem Church. 

Survivors include his wife, Betty; two daughters, Sandra Sue Whittaker and her husband, Roger, and Carol Ann Keller and her husband, Ken, all of Quincy; three grandchildren, Shaun Whittaker, Heather Keller and Sarah Keller, of of Quincy; two brother, Virgil Hochgraber and his wife, Ramona, and Earl Hochgraber and his wife, Joan, all of Quincy; and several nieces and nephews.  

He was preceded in death by his parents and a brother, Edgar "Ted" Hochgraber, who was killed in action in France on August 14, 1944.

Services will be at 10 AM Monday in Madison Park Christian Church with the Rev. Larry Smith, the Rev. Keith Ehresman and the Rev. Dennis Hochgraber officiating.  Burial will be in the Greenmount Cemetery.