Charles Cochran, 79, Nokomis

NOKOMIS — Charles R. Cochran, 79, of Nokomis, passed away on April 5, 2024, at Springfield Memorial Hospital, in Springfield.

A visitation was held on Tuesday, April 9, from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sutton Funeral Home in Nokomis. A funeral service with military rites will begin at noon with Pastor Kyle Blackerby officiating. Cremation will follow the service, with interment to occur at a later date.

Charles was born on August 10, 1944 in Pana Township, to Shirley and Ruth (Stevens) Cochran. In 1967, he married Patricia Kamer and they later divorced. He married Imogene “Jeannie” Nagle in 1976, and she preceded him in death on October 31, 2020. He later married Linda (Barnstable) Bradley on April 16, 2021, and she survives.

Charles attended Nokomis High School and obtained his GED while serving in the United States Army. During the Vietnam War, he was a combat engineer. He was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign and Service Medals with four Campaign Stars, two Overseas Service Bars, an Expert Badge (M-16), a Sharpshooter Badge (M-14), and more. He worked as a coal miner for twenty-three years and was a truck driver before, during, and after that time. He was a member of Catch the Fire Church in Cowden and loved spending his free time camping and going on motorcycle trips.

Charles is survived by his wife Linda Cochran of Nokomis, daughter Barbara (Jeremy Saunders) Eckart of Rosamond, step-children Cindy Fournier of Nokomis, Loretta Blevins of Hillsboro, Sandra (Robin) McBride of Texas, Scott (Dena Davis) Bradley of Indiana, Sonya Maretti of Nokomis, and Steve (Donna) Bradley of Indiana, grandchildren Tyler Engelhart, Sadie Keller, Johnny Keller, Matt (Christy) Bolyard, Brandon Bolyard, Hannah Black, Savannah Stevenson, and Mackenzie Blevins, sister Shirley Brown of Pana, as well as many step-grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Shirley and Ruth Cochran, second wife, Imogene Cochran, stepson Jeff Bolyard, and step-grandson J.R. Jones.

Memorials to honor Charles may be made to Nokomis American Legion or Paws Care of Montgomery County.

Sutton Memorial Home in Taylorville assisted the family with arrangements.

Please sign our online guestbook at suttonmemorialhome.com.

Obituaries can be sent to us directly via email at [email protected].

HLNF Staff Report

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