Don E. Kocher, age 87, 958 South Jefferson Street, Huntington, died at 8:55 a.m. Thursday (May 22, 2008) at Parkview Hospital in Ft. Wayne.

     Don retired in February of 1984 after 38 years at the Herald-Press where he was a printer and foreman of the composing room.  He was a member of St. Peter’s First Community Church where he served as a past deacon, the American Legion Post #8 and the V.F.W. Post #2689 all of Huntington.

     He entered the Army on July 15, 1942 at the age of 21, serving in the European Theater and participating in the Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe and Ardennes Campaigns.  For his service, he earned the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 4 Bronze Service Stars, the American Theater Ribbon, the Good Conduct Ribbon and the Combat Infantryman Badge.

     Don was born May 8, 1921 in Huntington, the son of Oliver and Sophia (Roeper) Kocher.  He graduated from Huntington High School in 1939.  Don married Willodean L. Labertew on June 19, 1949 in Huntington.

     Survivors include his wife of 58 years – Willodean L. Kocher of Huntington; one son – Philip (Beverly) Kocher of Quincy, Ohio; one daughter – Barbara (Steve) Seemeyer of Elletsville, IN; three sisters – Betty Peters of Ft. Wayne, IN, Helen Pohler of Huntington and Louise Szewzuk of San Diego, California; three granddaughters and two great-grandchildren.  A sister, Dorothy Cole, preceded him in death.

     Visitation will be from 3 – 7 p.m. Monday (May 26, 2008) at Bailey-Love Mortuary.  Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tuesday (May 27, 2008) at Bailey-Love Mortuary with the Rev. Gary Newton officiating.  Burial will be in the Gardens of Memory, Huntington County.

     Memorial contributions may be made to St. Peter’s First Community Church in care of Bailey-Love Mortuary, 35 West Park Drive, Huntington, IN  46750.

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