Wilbur D. Kocher

Wilbur D. Kocher, 85, of Distillery Hill Road, Benton, died early Wednesday morning, April 16, 2014 at the Orangeville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Born December 11, 1928 in the Village of Central, Sugarloaf Township, he was a son of the late Guy W. Kocher who died December 3, 1992 and Eleanor Helen (Peterman) Kocher, who died July 5, 2009. He and his wife, Rose K. (Sheleman) Kocher, would have celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary this October 22nd. Mr. Kocher attended the former Sugarloaf School and Benton High School and then faithfully served his country in the U. S. Army during World War II. He was employed in road construction for most of his life and was an equipment operator/ construction supervisor retiring around 1993. Years ago he was employed by the former Holcombe Funeral Home in Benton. Mr. Kocher was a member of the former Benton Masonic Lodge and currently a member of Oriental Lodge No. 460, F. & A. M., of Orangeville, the Caldwell Consistory of Bloomsburg and the Irem Temple Shrine. He was a past president of the Painter Den Hunting Club and was a member of the Fishing Creek Sportsman Association. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoyed hunting, fishing, snowmobiling and riding all terrain vehicles. He also had a great love for horses. His favorite time of year was hunting season. Surviving, in addition to his wife, Rose, are his three children: Gerald E. Kocher, of Benton; Janice R. Maguire and her husband, Scott, of Benton; Jeannette A. Kocher, of Bloomsburg; a granddaughter, Kassie M. Kocher, of New Albany; 2 great grandchildren; 2 brothers: W. Rex Kocher and his wife, Dorothy, of Bangor; Gilbert Kocher, of Dover, Delaware; a sister, Mary Walker and her husband, David, of Scio, Oregon as well as numerous nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by 3 brothers: Clifford Kocher, Guy Donald Kocher and Dean Kocher. Services will be held at the convenience of the family under the direction of the McMichael Funeral Home, Inc., Benton. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in his memory to the Fishing Creek Sportsman Association, P. O. Box 331, Benton, PA 17814.

Wilbur D. Kocher

December 11, 1928 - April 16, 2014