LEONA G. KOCHER 96 The Bend Area, rural Oblong, IL.

VISITATION: 6 - 8 P.M. Monday April 19, 2004 Pulliam Funeral Home - Oblong

FUNERAL: 10:00 A.M. Tuesday April 20, 2004 St. Valentine Catholic Church, rural Jasper Co. IL.

MEMORIAL: Oblong Schools Academic Foundation, envelopes at funeral home and church or may be mailed to the funeral home

Leona G. Kocher, 96, the Bend Area, rual Oblong, Illinois, died Friday April 16, 2004 at her residence. She was born March 2, 1908 in the Bend Area, Jasper County, Illinois. Leona was the daughter of Wolfgang Geiger and Mary (Kraus) Geiger. On October 10, 1932, she married Elmer J. Kocher who died November 4, 1998. Leona taught for three years at the Michl School in the Bend and was a farmwife and mother. She was a member of St. Valentine Catholic Church, the Bend and Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, Oblong, IL. Leona attended Eastern State Teaching College where she received her Teacher's Certificate. She was a member of Jasper County Home Extension, led 4 - H Clubs, active in politics, was supportive of schools and believed strongly in good education. Leona enjoyed gardening and had a gift for placement of flowering shrubs and trees on the homestead.

Leona is survived by two sons and daughters-in-laws David & Nancy Kocher and George & Sharon Kocher; two daughters and a son-in-law Leona Ann Kocher and Mary Ellen & Clark Sell; eight grandchildren Thomas & Karen Carlton / Kocher, Sara Louise & David Wright, Anna Nidey, Christopher & Laurel Heddens, Daniel & Jennifer Kocher, Timothy & Theresa Kocher, Clark P. & Carrie Sell and Ella Marie Sell; ten great grandchildren Acadia and Erica Kocher, Arnold, Henry, Amelia and Eloise Wright, Sean and Matthew Nidey, Kathryn Sophia Kocher, and Liam Kocher; and several nieces and nephews.

Her parents; husband; three infant siblings, two brothers and spouses John & Gertrude Geiger and George & Monica Geiger; six sisters and spouses Mary & Burton Leamon, Mathilda & Joseph Yost, Anna Geiger, Anna & Walter Frauenfelder, Aurelia & Leonard Brennan and Eugenia & Charles Voller all precede Leona in death.

Burial will be in St.Valentine Cemetery, rural Jasper County, Illinois.