Keith Cochran, 81

Keith H. Cochran, age 81, of Klinger Lake, Sturgis, passed away late Tuesday evening, Nov. 10, 2009, at Sturgis Hospital, following a brief illness.

He was born Aug. 24, 1928 in Sullivan, Ind., a son of the late Drexel and Mary (Barnes) Cochran.

Keith lived most of his life in Anderson, Ind. As a youth, he was active in Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts, where he earned the rank of Eagle Scout and was awarded the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow.

Following graduation from Anderson High School with the class of 1946, he served in the U.S. Army in the Ceremonial Detachment Honor Guard at Fort Myer, Va., attaining the rank of sergeant.

He then attended Indiana University at Bloomington, where he was president of Delta Upsilon fraternity, president of the Little 500 bicycle race steering committee. Following graduation from the Indiana University School of Business in 1952, he was employed at Delco-Remy Division of general Motors Corporation in Anderson, where he worked for the next 36 years, mostly in sales and marketing, the last 21 years in sales management. He married D’Alice Coburn of Anderson on Sept. 13, 1952.

While in Anderson he remained active in Scouting for many years, serving as Cub Pack Master, Assistant District Commissioner and District Chairman. He retired from Delco-Remy in 1988. In 1993, he and D’Alice moved to a property at Klinger Lake, near Sturgis, that they had owned and enjoyed on vacations for many years. In the following years, he was an elder of the First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis, member of the Klinger Lake Country Club, board member and president of the Klinger Lake Association, and member and chairman of the St. Joseph County Board of Public Works. He always enjoyed the beauty of Klinger Lake and its wooded shores.

He is survived by his wife of 57 years, D’Alice C. Cochran; two sons, Jeffrey H. (Mary) Cochran of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, and George T. (Ann) Cochran of Indianapolis, Ind.; a daughter, Carolyn C. (John R.) Peat of Elkhart, Ind.; grandchildren Alexandra Cochran of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, Scott Cochran, Gregory K. Cochran and Kristin Cochran, all of Indianapolis, and Kayla Peat, Kathleen Peat and Ryan Peat, all of Elkhart, Ind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Drexel Cochran and Mary Cochran Baker; and a brother, Col. Drexel Barnes Cochran.

According to his wishes, cremation has taken place. The family will receive friends from 5-7 p.m. Nov. 27 at the Hackman Family Funeral Homes Rosenberg Chapel, Sturgis. A memorial service celebrating the life of Keith Cochran will be held at 11 a.m. Nov. 28, at First Presbyterian Church in Sturgis. The Rev. Michael Wicks will officiate. A graveside service and burial of the ashes will take place at the Maplewood Cemetery in Anderson at a later date to be announced.

The family suggests those wishing to make a memorial donation in Mr. Cochran’s memory consider the charity of one’s choice or the Foundation of the First Presbyterian Church, 1320 S. Lakeview Ave., Sturgis, MI 49091. Envelopes are available at the funeral home.