Thomas Lloyd Cochran Obituary (1943 - 2020)

MT. PULASKI- Thomas Lloyd Cochran, 76, of Mt. Pulaski, Illinois passed away peacefully Friday, May 29, 2020 surrounded by his wife and children in the home he built and lived in with his family for 45 years. He was born in 1943 in Decatur to Darold Wayne and Charlotte Cochran. He grew up in Sullivan, Illinois and moved to Mt. Pulaski after receiving his bachelor's degree in Education from Eastern Illinois University, where he later received a masters degree as well. He took a leave from teaching and served in the Army for two years. In addition to being a teacher and mentor, Tom had many talents and interests. He loved woodworking, reading, nature, writing, history, genealogy, working in his yard, spending time with his family, and traveling to visit his grandkids. Tom taught Social Studies at Mt. Pulaski Grade School for 40 years. He met Nancy Eckert (his wife of nearly 50 years) at Mt. Pulaski Grade School. His wife survives along with their four children, Sarah (Jon) Jenkins of Lafayette, Colorado, Lisa Cochran (Brian Hartman) of Chicago, Illinois, Mark (Nancy) Cochran of San Francisco, California, and Susan (Sam) Whitehill of Portland, Oregon; 6 grandchildren, Evan, George, Liam, Hannah, Leah, and Zelda. He was a beloved husband, father, and grandfather who will be greatly missed. He was preceded in death by his parents, and two brothers, David Cochran and Jim Cochran. A private family graveside service will be held at a later date. A time of visitation will take place from 3:00-6:00pm on Wednesday, June 3, 2020 at Fricke-Calvert Schrader Funeral Home in Mt. Pulaski, IL. (Where CDC Protocol and social distancing will be followed. The family asks that everyone in attendance wear a face mask). Memorial donations may be made in Tom's name to The Glioblastoma Foundation.