William M. “Bill” Cochran, 83, of Mentone, passed at 5:40 a.m., Thursday, March 15, 2018, at his residence.
He was born Dec. 19, 1934, in Marshall County to John A. and Edna M. (Marsh) Cochran. On May 20, 1961, in Mentone, he married Linda L. Besson, who survives. Mr. Cochran retired in1993 from NIPSCO in Warsaw, where he had worked on the gas crew.

Cochran graduated from Mentone High School in 1953. He served his country in the U.S. Army and was stationed in Germany. He was a member of the Mentone Church of Christ for more than 58 years. He was a member of the Mentone Masonic Lodge #576 and the Scottish Rite of Fort Wayne and was a long time volunteer on the Mentone Fire Department. Cochran had served on the Bell Memorial Library Board and had held the position of treasurer. He was known for being Mentone’s handyman after retirement.

He enjoyed his morning coffee talks at Teel’s Restaurant and spending time gardening on the North Fork Ranch. He most of all enjoyed spending time with family. Bill was the glue of the family.
Survivors include his wife, Linda of Mentone; daughters, Leisa (Mike) Norman, Akron, Laura (Jeff) Felzien, South Vienna, Ohio; grandchildren Jennifer (T.J.) Keathley and Krista Felzien and brother, Richard “Skip” Cochran, Fort Wayne.

He was preceded in death by his parents; second mom, Ima Taylor; infant son, Gary Dean Cochran; sisters, Ruth Hartzell and Charlotte Stine and brothers Chuck, George and Ed Cochran.

Services are 10:30 a.m. Monday, March 19, at King Memorial Home 101 North Tucker St., Mentone with friends and family conducting the service. Visitation will be from 2 to 6 p.m. on Sunday, March 18 at the funeral home. Burial will be in Mentone Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Mentone Fire Department or the Four-Way Ambulance Service