Joy Ockerman

Joy Ockerman, 87, of Idaho Falls passed away peacefully in her home September 4, 2026.

Joy was born August 3, 1939, with the given name Bula Joyce Price. She was born to Russell R. Price and Effie L. Brown Price in Rigby, Idaho. Joy was the fourth child born to a large family of 11 siblings, and was raised in the Milo area, attending Rigby schools, graduating from Rigby High School in 1957.

Joy was a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. She served as the Young Women's Secretary.

Joy met Terrill Leroy Ockerman of Blackfoot in a dance hall in Idaho Falls, and later married him on May 10, 1957, in the LDS church in Milo. They lived in Idaho Falls for about a year when their first son, Terrill Chet, was born. They then moved to the Blackfoot area where Terrill joined the Blackfoot Police Department. There they had a second son, Curtis John.

After a few years, Terrill wanted to try his hand at being a full-time sign painter, so they moved to Salt Lake City, Utah. There, they had their daughter, Gina Joy. After a year or two missing family, they returned to Idaho Falls. Terrill then joined the Idaho Falls Police Department while Joy was a stay at home mom and homemaker while the kids were small.

Joy later went to work at IBM for a short period of time before moving to a job at Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service office. There she worked agricultural programs with farmers. She enjoyed working with the farmers and coworkers. Joy worked there for approximately 20 years, retiring in approximately 1997.

Terrill passed away in November 1993. With his passing and her children raised, Joy started a new chapter in her life. She became a pink lady volunteer at the gift shop in EIRMC for a few years.

Joy met Milton Bullock at the Senior Center who became her new partner. They never married, but for many years they traveled and socialized with their wonderful friends. She just loved dancing. Milt and Joy were not just dancers, but very good dancers--they were standouts. Milt and Joy looked after each other in sickness and health until his passing a few years ago.

Joy loved flowers and had many flower gardens that she meticulously maintained. She loved gardening in general, keeping lawns green and vegetable garden growing with the tomatoes she loved. Joy also loved to read when she found the time.

Joy is survived by her two sons, Chet and Curtis Ockerman, and daughter, Gina Perschon. She has 8 grandchildren, Natasha, Angle, Chantel, Marissa, Dustin, Devin, Trevor, and Brennon; 16 great grandchildren, Whitney, Shayla, Jataya, Janessa, Kysen, Sylvie, Evelyn, William, Macy, Charlotte, Julia, Skylar, Camberli, Lilly, Dawson, and Lincoln; 3 great-great grandchildren, Ramon Jay, Jordan, and Jamie Joy; and brother, John Price of Rigby, ID.

Joy is preceded in death by her parents; husband, Terrill Ockerman; sisters, Donna Price, Deloris (Bobbie) Calkins-Gray, Anne Summers, Sherrie Erickson; and brothers, Cliff Price, Fred Price, Bill Price, Victor Price, and Don Price.

Graveside services will be held at 12 p.m. Saturday, September 12, 2026, at the Moreland Cemetery, 873 W. 200 N., Blackfoot, ID 83221. The family will visit with friends from 10-11 a.m. prior at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints building located at 1100 Tiebreaker Drive, in Ammon, ID 83406.