CARBONDALE – Clarence Edward Cochran, 92, of Carbondale passed away at 6:57 AM, Friday, January 5, 2018 at the Memorial Hospital in Carbondale.

Clarence was born on March 30, 1925, in Ava, the son of Harry Everett and Bernice Wanda (Weatherford) Cochran. He served in the United States Marine Corps during WWII, he then married Mary Louise Vancil at the First Baptist Church in Ava on November 10, 1948, and they shared 69 years of marriage. He was a jobber for Standard Oil for over 40 years. Clarence was a member of the VFW in Carbondale.

Mr. Cochran is survived by his wife Mary Cochran, of Carbondale, 3 grandchildren; Kelly (Tom) Kerckhove, of Dunlap, Illinois, Timothy (Meghan) Cochran, of Naperville, Illinois, and Kristin (Tyler) Swearingen, of Normal, Illinois, great grandchildren; Madeline and Catherine Kerckhove, Brody Cochran, and Jack Swearingen, he is also survived by 2 sisters; Rose Mary (Bob) Saupe, of Jacob, and Kathryn Faye Sudano, of Elkville, and two daughters – in – law; Penny Clutts, and Tina Cochran.

Clarence was preceded in death by his parents, one son; Michael, one brother; Robert, two sisters; Verna Mae Columbo, and Wanda Trotter Mumaugh.

Funeral services will be held at 2 PM, Tuesday, January 9, 2018 at the Wilson's Funeral Home in Ava with Rev. Paul Hicks officiating and burial will follow at the Ava Evergreen Cemetery with military services by the Paul Stout American Legion Post #127 and members of the Illinois Military Funeral Honors Team. Visitation will be held on Tuesday at the funeral home where friends may call from 1 to 2 PM. Memorials may be made to the Shriner's or to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.