Charles Cochran

January 15, 1911 - December 13, 2004

Fairfield, Iowa Visitation: 10:00 A.M. until the time of service at 11:00 A.M. December 15, 2004 at Fremont Funeral Chapel Funeral Service: 11:00 A.M. December 15, 2004 at Fremont Funeral Chapel Interment: McCormick Cemetery near Highland Center, Iowa Charles Cochran was born on January 15th, 1911 in Saskatchewan, Canada, the son of Clarence and Lavina Erickson Cochran. He was raised in the Fairfield and Libertyville areas and attended the Libertyville Schools. After finishing school Charles went to work on a cattle farm near Fairfield. He was united in marriage to Blanche Hildebrand on February 14th, 1942 in Kahoka, Missouri. In 1942 Charles entered the United States Army and served with the 947th infantry during the Asiastic-Pacific Theatre during WWII and was involved with the Philippine Liberation. In 1945 he was dischared from the Army and returned to Fairfield to resume farming. He farmed with Belgian horses until 1959 when he finally broke down and purchased a second-hand John Deere tractor. He eventually bought his own farm near Farson where he lived until retiring in 1989 at which time he and his wife Blanche moved to Hedrick. His passion in life was spending time with and raising Belgian Draft Horses. His memory is honored by his wife Blanche of Hedrick a son, Steven Cochran and his wife Rita of Davenport, a daughter; Arlys Fritz and her husband Stephen of Burlington, a brother; Glenn Cochran of Echo, Oregon, and a sister; Doris Pittam of Roseburg, Oregon, three grandchildren; Jill Dunlop, Karla and Andy Grandinetti, and two great-grandchildren; Katelyn Caves and Sam Martin. Mr. Cochran was preceded in death by his parents, a brother; Wray Cochran, three sisters; Eileen Smyth, Marian Rodibaugh and Marjorie Rodibaugh. Charles was a member of the Hedrick Lions Club, the Belgian Draft Horse and Mule Association, was inducted into the Horseman's Hall of Fame at the Iowa State Fair, a lifetime member of the VFW, a lifetime member of the American Legion, and a member of the Pleasant Grove Methodist Church. Memorials may be made in his name to the Hedrick VFW, the Hedrick American Legion, or the Jefferson County Hospital.