Joanne I. Cochran

Joanne was born in Napoleon, Ohio on January 13, 1925 to Harry & Elva Laremore. Surviving are her son, Scott (Judy) Cochran of Dahinda, IL and her daughter, Ellen (Raymond) Heiman of Morton, IL; 5 grandchildren, Blake (Michelle) Centers of Chicago, IL, Jason (Jody) Centers of Elmwood, IL, Shamra (Kurt) Noy of Hanna City, IL, Scott Cochran of Pontiac, IL, and Christopher (Wendy) Cochran of Brimfield, IL; 3 step-grandchildren, Troy Thompson of California, Todd Heiman of Marquette Heights, IL and Kimberly (Gifford) Parsons of N. Pekin, IL; 8 great-grandchildren, Adam, Ryan & Samantha Centers, Rachel & Carson Noy, Kaydn & Liam Cochran and Cori Centers; 2 step-great-grandchildren, Breanna & Gifford Parsons; 1 niece and 3 nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, one sister and one brother.

Joanne graduated in 1942 from Napoleon High School 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 the girls took. She had so many great memories of the years that they spent with the majorettes and the trips they took with them.

In 1960, Joanne and her husband, Paul, bought the old historic Huddleston House in Cambridge City, IN and made it into a country-style restaurant. Joanne served as the 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 till 1981 before retiring.

Joanne was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church in Peoria. She was also a 50 year member of Eastern Star and a member of the Peoria Newcomer Alums. She dearly loved playing bridge and had played in several 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 24, 2014 at 11am. Burial will be in Napoleon, Ohio. Arrangements were made through Davison-Fulton Woolsey-Wilton Funeral Home in Peoria.