Obituary: John R. Cochems

MADISON - John R. Cochems, age 87, died on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2004, at a local nursing home. He was born on Feb. 19, 1916, in Bayside, N.Y. He married the former Ruth E. Schmitz on Nov. 28, 1942. She preceded him in death in 1988. He graduated from Central High School and attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduated from LaCrosse State University. John served four years in the United States Coast Guard and was in the Anzio and Normandy battles of WWII. He was employed as an accountant for the State of Wisconsin and the University of Wisconsin for 38 years and retired in 1983. John was a life member of the Madison Elks Club and the Knights of Columbus. He was a member and former President of the University of Wisconsin Service Club. John loved his family, especially important to him were the times spent with them in Door County. He was an avid golfer and golfed in many leagues. He was a member of Blessed Sacrament Church and a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church. John is survived by his four children, Richard of Sturgeon Bay, Wis., and Venice, Fla., Julie (Terry) Keating of Huntsville, Ala., Steve (fiance Joanne Fredrickson) Battle Lake, Minn., and Nick (Vicki) Cochems of Madison, Wis. He is further survived by grandchildren, Brent (Amy) Cochems, Scott (Mel) Cochems, Karen and Laura Keating, Danielle, John and Chris Cochems, and Austin and Kelsey Mader; great-granddaughter, Nicole Cochems. He is also survived by Mary Cochems and special friend, Norma Arvold and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, Eddie and May Cochems; his brothers and sister, Philip, Elizabeth, David and Henry.; daughters-in-law, Sally Kuehling Cochems and Julie Jensen Cochems. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at OUR LADY QUEEN OF PEACE CATHOLIC CHURCH, 401 South Owen Dr. at 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2004. Friends may call from 9:30 until the time of service, on Tuesday at the church. Burial will follow in Resurrection Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Queen of Peace Church or the American Diabetes Association. The family extends special thanks to the caregivers of St. Mary's Care Center. Cress Funeral Service 3610 Speedway Road Madison, Wis. 53705

Originally published in the Wisconsin State Journal on January 12, 2004