Joanne I. Cochran

Joanne Irene Cochran, 89 of Lutheran Hillside Village Estates passed away on Friday, June 20, 2014. Joanne's husband of 66 years, Paul, passed away Monday, March 23, 2009. Joanne was born in Napoleon, Ohio on Tuesday, January 13, 1925 to Harry and Elva Laremore. Surviving are her son, Scott (Judy) Cochran of DaHinda, Illinois and daughter, Ellen (Raymond) Heiman of Morton, Illinois; five grandchildren, Blake (Michelle) Centers of Chicago, Illinois, Jason (Jody) Centers of Elmwood, Illinois, Shamra (Kurt) Noy of Hanna City, Illinois, Scott Cochran of Pontiac, Illinois, Christopher (Wendy) Cochran of Brimfield, Illinois, three step-grandchildren, Troy Thompson of California, Todd Heiman of Marquette Heights, Illinois, Kimberly (Gifford) Parsons of North Pekin, Illinois; eight great-grandchildren, Adam, Ryan, and Samantha Centers, Rachel and Carson Noy, Kaydn and Liam Cochran, Cori Centers; two step great-grandchildren, Breanna and Gifford Parsons; one niece and three nephews.

Joanne was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and one brother.

Joanne graduated in 1942 from Napoleon High School in Napoleon in Napoleon, Ohio and married Paul Cochran. In 1947, her husband Paul formed the first marching Majorette group in the country. Joanne was very active in the group serving as secretary and House Mother on the out-of-town trips that the girls took. She has so many great memories of the years that they spent with the majorettes and the trips that they took with them.

In 1960, Joanne and her husband, Paul, bought the old historic Huddleston House in Cambridge City, Indiana and made it into a country style restaurant.

Joanne served as hostess and loved the history and stories concerning the house. The house is registered in the national archives in Washington D.C.

In 1978, Paul and his son, Scott, purchased a PIP Printing franchise for Central Illinois and opened their first store in Peoria. They later opened a store in the Bone Student Center at Illinois State University. Joanne and Paul worked in one of the stores from 1979 until 1981 before retiring.

Joanne was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria. She was also a 50 year member of the Eastern Stars and a member of the Peoria Newcomer Alums. She dearly loved playing bridge and had played in several different groups. She definitely had a green thumb and loved working in her flower garden. Joanne also had a passion for decorating her home inside and out for every holiday. She was a very caring and loving person. She was always remembering others with beautiful cards, notes and flowers. She will be greatly missed and always remembered as a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

Memorials may be made to The Children's Home, Salvation Army, Northminster Presbyterian Church, American Cancer Society or to the Alzheimer's Association.

Memorial Services will be at Lutheran Hillside Village on Tuesday, June 24th at 11:00 a.m. Burial will be in Napoleon, Ohio.