Philip J. Cochrane

1962 - 2010

Philip Cochrane

Philip Joseph Cochrane of Belleville, Ill., born Nov. 27, 1962 died on Thursday, Dec. 30, 2010.

After a courageous six year battle with cancer, Philip passed away peacefully at Belleville Memorial Hospital with his family at his side. Philip was born and raised in Carbondale Ill., and graduated from Carbondale Community High School. He held an associate's degree in electrical engineering and a bachelor's degree in business with a minor in information technology, both from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale, Ill.

Philip had an interest in information technology and followed that in his career. He held positions at Stiles Office Solutions in Carbondale, Ill., Micro Technologies, Inc., in Belleville, Ill., SenDx East Medical in Carlsbad, Calif., and Radiometer Medical, Copenhagen, Denmark.

He was the office manager, installer and part time trainer for medical software as well as doing support for remote technicians.

Philip had a lifelong interest in cars. He loved drag racing and built and maintained his own race car, building model cars, driving (Philip would volunteer to drive anyone anywhere just to get behind the wheel). "Driving is my essence" Philip was a sports enthusiast, enjoying football and NASCAR racing the most. Riding his Harley, his love of fishing took him on many Canadian and local adventures with family and friends, cooking the caught fish, and visiting with his buddies, laughing, having fun with friends. New passions were meteorological weather tracking, Audubon Society, gardening and home restoration. His inspiration for living and "keeping on" will be our mantra for the blue eyed man we love.

Philip touched the lives of many people with his smile and generosity, and maintained his trademark sense of humor all the way to the end as he never met a stranger.

Philip was preceded in death by his brother, John Robert Cochrane; father, Philip Joseph Cochrane; and mother, Mary W. Cochrane.

Philip was one of six children born to the late Philip J. and Mary W. Cochrane of Carbondale, Ill., Philip will forever be remembered by his devoted sisters and family, Teri and Tom Morgan of Belleville, Ill., Peggy Cochrane of Chicago, Ill., Patti and Jim Snapp of Arlington Heights, Ill., and Helen Cochrane and Kevin Jackson of Fontana, Kan.; maternal aunt, Helen Wasco of Riverside Calif.;, paternal aunt, Helen Vedder of Champaign Ill.; and his little dog, Tater Tot too; along with countless other friends and family who were blessed to know him.

The family requests memorials be sent to Hospice of Southern Illinois, Inc., 305 South Illinois Street, Belleville, Ill. 62220, American Brain Tumor Association, 2720 River Road, Des Plaines, Ill. 60018 or VFW National Headquarters, 406 West 34th Street, Kansas City, Mo. 64111

Visitation: Friends and family are invited to call from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2010, at Walker Funeral Homes PC, 112 South Poplar Street, Carbondale, Ill. 62901-2904.

Funeral: Memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 8, 2011, at the funeral home.

Philip will be laid to rest with his family members in Champaign, Ill. Private services will be held at a later date.

WALKER FUNERAL HOME & CREMATORY, Carbondale, Ill.