Ernie passed away Saturday, April 4, 2020 at the Wings Home in Allegan.
He was born April 23, 1938 in Butler, Ohio, the son of Eugene and Ruby (McCullough) Cochran. Ernie proudly served his country in the U.S. Army. He worked at Rockwell International for 22 years, KTS Saw and Clausing Industrial Inc. until his retirement in 2001.
As a young man Ernie was a skilled basketball player and had coached little league in Ohio. He was an Ohio State University fan and loved taking his grandchildren fishing and camping. Ernie was a member of Peace Lutheran Church in Otsego and a leader for the Lutheran Boy Pioneers.
On October 3, 1959 in Otsego, he married Janice Winter who survives.
Also surviving are his children, Randy (Kim) Cochran of Florida and Melody (Tim) Mohrland of Allegan; 6 grandchildren, Ashley, Kyle, Shannon, Trey, Amber and Audrie; great-grandchildren, Peyton, Ella, Lilly, Arla, Charlotte and other due soon; siblings, Sharon (Dan) Workman, Connie Cochran, Dennis (Mary Beth) Cochran and Timothy Cochran all of Ohio; sister-in-law, Sandy Cochran of Ohio along with several nieces and nephews.
He was preceded in death by his parents, infant sister, Caroyln and brothers, Larry and Ronald Cochran.
Private family services will take place on Wednesday, April 8, 2020 at 11am at Peace Lutheran Church in Otsego with Pastor Nathanial Timmermann officiating.
Friends wishing to participate may view a livestream of the service at
peaceotsego.org
.
Cremation will follow.
Burial of ashes will take place at Trowbridge Township Cemetery at a later time.
Contributions in memory of Ernie may be made to
Peace Lutheran Church of Otsego
or to the
Wings Home of Allegan.
Messages of condolence may be posted at
www.WinkelFuneralHome.com.
Offer Condolence for the family of Ernest G. Cochran
Condolence Messages
Shelley Jager-Ladd
April 5, 2020 at 10:48 am
So very sorry for your loss. He will be missed greatly. You could always depend on him for a laugh and contagious smile. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
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Stella Waller
April 5, 2020 at 4:35 pm
To the Cochran Family, I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Ernie. My thoughts and prayers are with you as you go through these difficult days ahead.
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Peg Bevington
April 5, 2020 at 5:25 pm
My deepest sympathy to you at this sad time. Hugs and prayers. Peg Bevington. Milkersburg, Ohio
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Vicki A. Patranc
April 5, 2020 at 7:12 pm
My love, thoughts and prayers are with all the family.
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Debra Agin
April 5, 2020 at 7:30 pm
So sorry to hear of his passing along with Uncle Duke on the same Day! My thoughts and prayers are with you
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Kristy Mishler
April 5, 2020 at 9:24 pm
Aunt Jan, Melody, Randy and families:
We are so sorry for your loss. As you know, Uncle Ernie was an amazing man and touched so many lives. He will be greatly missed by many.
Love & Prayers,
Kristy, Kevin, Kailey & Kassidy Mishler
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Ben and Susie Woodhams
April 6, 2020 at 9:26 am
Thoughts and prayers sent your way.
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Merry Kingsley
April 6, 2020 at 10:30 am
So sorry for your loss .
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Susan madison(wise)
April 6, 2020 at 10:41 am
My deepest condolences to all the family, sending many prayers to all of you
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Sharon Ward
April 6, 2020 at 11:05 am
I will always remember Ernie as a friendly soul, smiling face, and welcoming demeanor. His exuberant love for Jesus, his family & all the kiddos wether his or others, always warmed my heart and made me smile. Heaven has gained another beautiful soul.
Blessings of Peace, Comfort & Condolences to the family.
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Natalie Thiel
April 6, 2020 at 1:50 pm
Jan and family,
So sorry for your loss. When we think of Ernie, it brings a smile to our faces. He was such a wonderful person with a heart of service for Jesus. I am sure our children can recall many fond memories of him leading Pioneers.
We pray that the Lord wraps his loving arms around you all at this time of sorrow. We rejoice with you that he is now living with his Savior!
Love, The Thiel Family
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Jason Thiel
April 6, 2020 at 2:05 pm
I am sorry for your loss, Cochran family! This news hit me hard. But I am so happy for Jesus’ resurrection promise. Because He lives, Ernie does too. Ernie knew Jesus’ love for him and he confessed that freely in words and actions. I pray Jesus comforts you greatly! I truly treasure the time I spent with Ernie working on all the Pioneer ministry activities. His love for the kids and for Jesus were amazing! I also treasured our times together fishing in his boat. I am blessed to have had Ernie as a friend here on earth and also serve as his pastor for a while. God be with you!
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Ron and Lois Muetzel
April 6, 2020 at 2:13 pm
What a joy that we got to know Ernie! Your comfort and peace are found in his faith in the Easter Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We also look forward to the joyful reunion in heaven.
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Karen Colborn
April 6, 2020 at 7:53 pm
So sorry for your loss, our prayers go out to you all at this difficult time. May you find comfort, peace n strength in our Heavenly Father…. thinking of you Melody n family
❤️❤️ Kent n Karen Colborn n family
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Herbert Crabbe
April 6, 2020 at 8:07 pm
Jan, Randy, Melody;
Very sorry to hear of Ernie’s passing ,our thoughts and prayers are with you
and you’re families
Herb and Sandy Crabbe
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Cathy Boysen
April 8, 2020 at 9:13 am
To the Cochran Family
I am saddened to hear about the passing of Ernie. He is with our Lord now and will no longer be in pain. He will still be with you in all your beautiful memories. Hold those memories close to your hearts forever.
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Craig Patranc
April 8, 2020 at 9:45 am
Could not have had abetter Uncle. An example of a man of character with a servant’s heart. A truly humble christian man. We are saddened by his passing and our inability to be with Aunt Jan and the rest of the family during this difficult time. Wishing God’s healing peace to all and looking forward to a heavenly reunion with Uncle Ernie.
Craig and Patty Patranc
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Pastor Ron and Gwen Freier
April 8, 2020 at 10:46 am
Our love to you and your family at the passing your loved one from this life to eternal life with Jesus in heaven. May your Easter joy overshadow your earthly loss.
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Melissa Sanders
April 8, 2020 at 12:18 pm
I am so sorry for your loss. Ernie was truly a blessing to know. I will miss our poker games and his music. Thank you so much for the opportunity to know him.
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Dick and Sue Frye
April 8, 2020 at 12:25 pm
So sorry to hear this. He was such a good man. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jan and the family. He will be missed but never forgotten.
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Terri and Kevin Kelly
April 8, 2020 at 12:28 pm
My heart aches for all of you! We are so sorry for your loss. May the precious memories you carry in your heart ease your pain and bring you happiness for years to come. Love and hugs to all of you!❤
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Sharon Workman (Cochran)
April 8, 2020 at 5:38 pm
Ernie was a super brother and had a wonderful wife, son, and daughter. He was always involved in so many things and always gave it his best. He gave of himself when he participated in sports, the military, the police force, and various church related activities, Ernie was friendly and caring and always wanted to know how everyone in the family was doing. He enjoyed joking and loved getting together with family to celebrate various occasions. Ernie worked hard to help others and was a firm believer in God. So therefore we know, he shall not perish, but have everlasting life.
Love from brothers and sisters,
Tim, Denny, Connie, and Sharon
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Phyllis Jackson
April 9, 2020 at 9:26 am
Melody, we are so sorry that you have lost your precious father. Please know you and your family are in our thoughts and prayers. Richard and Phyllis Jackson
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Don and Shirley Brown
April 9, 2020 at 1:27 pm
Thoughts and prays go out to all of you we our send ing prays for you. Ernie was a good neighbor always friendly. He could tell many things when I bought his aunt and uncles place he had worked on it over the years. Hold on to all your good memories he will live forever in your hearts. Don and Shirley Brown.
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Aaron & Claudia Wilkinson
April 9, 2020 at 11:18 pm
Jan and family,
We are so sorrfor your loss. We have find memories of Ernie and the positive impact he made with us. We send our love and prayers as you navigate through this difficult time. Much love.
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Stephen Brockway
April 10, 2020 at 3:21 pm
Jan and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. I always appreciated the effort and thoughtfulness that you both showed toward me and my family. I hope that your family remembers the good memories and trusts that he is at peace now. All our love,
Stephen and Sidney Brockway
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Jennifer
April 10, 2020 at 6:19 pm
My sincerest condolences. Ernie was so kind. He will be greatly missed. Praying for peace and comfort for his family.
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Brenda Brainard
April 10, 2020 at 10:50 pm
Dear Jan, Melody, Ashley and the rest of Ernie’s family ,
I was very saddened to hear of Ernie’s passing. Thinking of you and praying for comfort during this difficult time. God Bless all of you.
Brenda and Bub Brainard
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Shirley Sutton
April 13, 2020 at 2:19 pm
Dear Jan, and family,
I was saddened to read of Ernie’s death. I have so many great memories of the stories you told of Ernie and and the kids. Such a wonderful family. And, what a pleasure to have worked with you for so many years at AGH, Jan. You are such a devoted and kind person. I’ll be thinking of you as you traverse this new life and I promise you that it will get better and easier with the passing of time. Of this, I know.
Sincerely,
Shirley Sutton
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Amanda LaFountain
April 13, 2020 at 4:02 pm
My thoughts and prayers are with all your family. May GOD be with you in this time of grief.
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Diane Boysen
April 15, 2020 at 3:56 pm
Dear Cochran families, I was very sorry to learn that Ernie had passed away. He was a very good person, hard worker and family man. My sincere sympathies in your loss of such a kind, caring man.
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Paul, Debby & Jason Woodworth
April 15, 2020 at 6:49 pm
Melody & Family –
We are so sorry to learn of your dad and uncle’s recent passing. We know this is a very sad and difficult time for all, and our very deepest sympathies are with you and your family.
Reply
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