Oscar L. Kocher, 96, of Lincoln, passed away Friday, November 14, 2014 at the Christian Village in Lincoln. A visitation will be held Tuesday, November 18th from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, 708 W. Main St., Urbana. A funeral mass will be held following the visitation at 10:00 a.m., with Fr. Joel Phelps officiating. Military rites will be performed by the Urbana American Legion Post 71 at Woodlawn Cemetery.

Mr. Kocher was born July 26, 1918 in Claremont, Illinois to parents Aloysius and Anna (Scheddelbauer) Kocher. He married Lucille Rennier October 8, 1949 in St. Marie, Illinois. She preceded him in death August 28, 2008. His parents, three sisters, and four brothers also preceded Oscar in death.

Survivors include children, Karen Petty (Duane), of Lincoln, Lynn McElfresh (Gary), of Dunedin, Florida, Julie Dapp (Tim), of Crofton, Maryland, Kenneth Kocher (Monica), of Madison, Georgia, sisters, Irene Kappes, of Tuscola, Wilmajean Geier, of Newton, eight grandchildren, and ten great-grandchildren.

Mr. Kocher served in the United States Army during WWII. After being the 153rd person drafted, Oscar became a Flight Engineer/ Top Turret Gunner on a B-17 in the Army Air Force.

After his service, Oscar worked as an air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic for the University of Illinois. He was a member of the Knights of Columbus, American Legion, Pipe Fitters Union, and the Boots and Bows Square Dancing Club.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society or the Land of Lincoln Honor Flight.