Della M. Cochran

She was the youngest of 11 children and preceding her in death were, Lawrence Baer, Kathryn Cedar, Sara Porter, Alice Porter, George Porter, Russell Porter, Ineta “Nettie” Zaorski, Ralph Porter, Charles Elmer Porter and Howard “Tom” Porter.

Della met her devoted husband of 62 years, Donald Cochran Sr. (who survives) while enjoying an evening of dancing at the Palladium in West Brownsville. They were married on September 22, 1948 in Cumberland, MA.

Della and Don, along with their family, operated an auto parts store, an American Motors dealership and a furniture store in Dry Tavern and Carmichaels for 40 years. In her long and joyful life, Della worked at the Murphy’s five and ten soda fountain, Capital Airlines, and as a bus attendant for IU-1.

Her greatest joys were her family, tending her garden, taking long walks around Dry Tavern and baking cookies and banana bread for her friends, family and anyone who stopped by for a visit.

Della was a member of the First United Methodist Church of Carmichaels.

Also surviving are six children and eight grandchildren, Dean Cochran of Rices Landing; Deanna Cochran (Joel Schedtler) of North Myrtle Beach, SC; Donell Murray (Kenneth) ,with their children Rob and Rikki, of Lexington, KY; Dixie Paletta (Frank) with their children Lauren Owens (Danny), Erin Paletta and Cristen Basilone (Joshua), of Rices Landing; Donald Cochran Jr. (Kathy), with their child Molly, of Waynesburg; Dayna Haferkamp (Steve), with their children Grant and Jack, of Carlsbad, CA; and a dear, life-long friend, Sandy McDermott of Carmichaels.

Friends will be received from 2 to 8 p.m. Monday in the Behm Funeral Homes Inc., 1477 Jefferson Road, Jefferson, Gregory P. Rohanna, supervisor, where services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 30, 2011 with the Rev. Ronald J. Geisler officiating. Interment will follow in Hewitt Cemetery, Rices Landing. Memorial gifts may be directed to the Rices Landing Volunteer Fire Dept, PO Box 6, Rices Landing, PA 15357 or the Carmichaels First United Methodist Church, 104 W. South Street, Carmichaels, PA 15320.

Condolences may be expressed online at www.behm-funeralhomes.com.