Benny Lee Cochran

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Benny Lee Cochran, age 91, of Lawrenceville, Illinois passed away on Thursday, January 02, 2020 at the United Methodist Village-North Campus in Lawrenceville, Illinois. He was born on May 05, 1928 in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the son of Lyle Eugene and Ellen Gertrude (Wilson) Cochran. He married Margaret Ann Armstrong on February 03, 1951 and she preceded him in death on October 31, 2001. He married Linda (Moore) Bennett on December 04, 2004 and she survives.

Benny graduated in 1951 from the University of Illinois, with a degree in Civil Engineering. He was a retired insurance agent and owned Cochran Insurance Agency, Inc. His memberships included the First United Methodist Church, Elks, Masons, VFW, Kiwanis Club, and he received the Key to the City of Lawrenceville. He was a board member of the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, First Bank, First United Methodist Church, Lawrence County Medical Services Foundation, and Kiwanis Club (25 + years of perfect attendance). Benny served his country in the Korean War, where he received a Good Conduct Medal, UN Service Medal, and two Korean Service Medals.

Preceding him in death were his parents; wife, Margaret Ann; and one sister, Mary Jean Cochran Davis.

Survivors include his wife, Linda; one son, Brian Cochran and wife, Terry of Lawrenceville, Illinois; three daughters, Barbara ‘Barbie’ Gardner and husband, Ed of Evansville, Indiana, Brenda Hesher and husband, Dave of Lawrenceville, Illinois, and Beth Gray and husband, Mark of St. Francisville, Illinois; one brother, Howard Cochran of New Bern, North Carolina; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be conducted on Saturday, January 04, 2020 at 12:00 PM at the Emmons-Macey & Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Visitation will be Saturday from 10:00 AM until 12:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Lawrenceville City Cemetery, with military rites. Memorial donations may be to the Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, Lawrence County Cancer Resource Center & Wig Shoppe, or the First United Methodist Church.

Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences.