Catherine E. Kocher

Catherine E. Kocher (Katie), 87, passed away on January 25, 2025, in Bucyrus, Ohio, surrounded by her beloved family. Katie was born January 21, 1938, in Bucyrus, Ohio, to Chester and Clara (Klahn) Graham. Katie lost her mother when she was two years old and spent most of her childhood living with her Uncle Ted and Aunt Mae Marquis. Katie married Leonard Kocher in Bucyrus, Ohio in 1959.

Katie graduated from Bucyrus High School, class of 1956. The day after graduation she started working at Timken as a key punch operator, working five years until retiring to raise a family. She met Leonard while doing laps through the streets of Bucyrus, and they enjoyed every moment of their next 65 years together. They traveled throughout their married lives, visiting every state except North Dakota. They vacationed in Florida many times, visiting Katie's favorite mouse Mickey, St. Pete beach, and very special friends Paul and Nancy Schiefer. Katie loved to play cards, bowl, and do puzzles. Katie's favorite time was soaking up the sun on the beach or in a back yard chair reading a novel. Later in life, television and games on the computer became part of her leisure time. Katie was active in Americette Twirling, Scioto United Methodist Church, Mothers Club, and 4-H as an advisor. Her favorite sports teams where those of Colonel Crawford High School and The Ohio State University, as well as the Cleveland Guardians and Cleveland Cavaliers. Her greatest joy came from cheering on children and grandchildren in all their adventures. Katie enjoyed every holiday season, when the house was always decorated inside and out. The Christmas season was very special in her heart, and numerous Santa Claus figurines and other items were displayed throughout the house. Katie would start making thirty different kinds of cookies in November, sharing them with friends, shut-ins, and family at Christmas. She loved to pick out greeting, birthday, and get-well cards, each handpicked to fit the person and their situation.

Katie is survived by husband Leonard; sisters Nikki Dowler of Cocoa Beach, FL, and Marie (Wayne) Albright of Bucyrus; son Jeffrey (Barb) Kocher of Willard, daughters Melody (John) Rice of Avon Lake, and Karla (Rod) Gyurke of Toledo; grandchildren Lydia (Mike Olejniczak) Kocher of Pittsburgh, PA, Mikhaila Rice of Cleveland, Austin Rice of Bay Village, Isaac Rice of Lakewood, Kyle (Kathleen) Gyurke of Perrysburg, Erin (Devin) Zeisset of Oregon, and Todd Gyurke of Oregon; great-grandchildren Henry Olejniczak and Ruth Zeisset. Katie was preceded in death by her parents Chester and Clara (Klahn) Graham; special parents Ted and Mae Marquis; brothers Chester (Janet) Graham, Kenny Graham, Charles Marquis, and Ted Jr. (Chris) Marquis, sisters Virgina (Tom) Casey, Barb (Dave) Hancock, and Connie (Doug) McFarland; brothers-in laws Dave Hancock, Doug McFarland and Wayne Albright.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, January 29, 2025, from 4-7 PM at the Scioto United Methodist Church, 3202 Lemert Road, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 with a funeral service being held Thursday, January 30, 2025, at 11:00 AM at the church with burial taking place at Brokensword Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Crawford County Humane Society, 3590 St. Rt, 98, Bucyrus, Ohio 44820 or to the Scioto United Methodist Church. The Kocher family would like to thank Dr. Rebecca Strickland, Avita Hospice and all the staff at Altercare Bucyrus for your extraordinary care and kindness while our wife, mom and grandma was in your care. Online condolences may be made at www. Eastmanfuneralhome.com. Eastman Funeral Home, 200 W. Main Street, New London, Ohio, 44851 are in care of the arrangements.