[ OBITUARIES ]

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Mar 23, 2001 by Capital-Journal

Wilma Blocker

MARYSVILLE --- Wilma E. Blocker, 85, formerly of Home, died Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at a Marysville nursing home.

Mrs. Blocker was a telephone operator in Home for many years.

She was born May 14, 1915, in Elmo, Mo., the daughter of Floyd and Pearl Leonard. She was adopted and raised by Ernest and Mary Pike. She moved to Marysville from Home.

Mrs. Blocker was a member of Friedens Lutheran Church in Home.

She married Oswin "Nick" Blocker on July 31, 1939. He died March 14, 1979. Mrs. Blocker also was preceded in death by a daughter, Rosalie Wiemers, in 1983, and a grandson, Rick Wiemers, in 1986.

Survivors include two sons, Ron Blocker, Topeka, and Don Blocker, Marysville; eight grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday at Friedens Lutheran Church in Home. Burial will be in Home City Cemetery. Mrs. Blocker will lie in state from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday at Kinsley Mortuary in Marysville.

Viola Christiason

OSAGE CITY --- Viola "Marie" Christiason, 73, Belton, Mo., died Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at a Belton hospital.

Mrs. Christiason was a contract administrator for Corps of Engineers in Kansas City, Mo., until she retired in 1983.

She was born June 15, 1927, in Auburn, the daughter of Robert and Clara Moran. She attended Harveyville schools.

She married Norman L. "Chris" Christiason on Nov. 24, 1946. He died May 12, 1972.

Survivors include a daughter, Sheryl Christiason, Belton; a son, Terry Christiason, Tucson; two brothers, Robert E. Moran, Admire, and Darrell Moran, Belton; a sister, Marlene Creitz, Tulsa, Okla.; three grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church in Osage City. Burial will be in Burlingame Cemetery in Burlingame. Mrs. Christiason will lie in state after 1 p.m. Saturday at the church.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association and sent in care of Carey Funeral Home in Burlingame.

Robert Clegg

ABILENE --- Robert L. "Bob" Clegg, 74, Abilene, died Wednesday, March 21, 2001, at an Abilene hospital.

Mr. Clegg was a retired carpenter. He served in the 187th Glider Infantry toward the end of World War II.

He was born Dec. 26, 1926, in Mankato, the son of Chester T. and Vila Irene Stedman Clegg. He lived five years in Colorado before he moved to Abilene.

He married Helen M. Winkel on June 12, 1952, in Beloit. She survives.

Other survivors include three sisters, Vivian Reed, Burr Oak, Joan Lammon, Englewood, Colo., and Sharon Hunter, Denver; and three brothers, Bryant Clegg, Freemont, Max "Mike" Clegg, Winona, and R.D. "Frosty" Clegg, Beloit.

Services will be at 2 p.m. Saturday at Christian Church in Mankato. Burial will be in Mount Hope Cemetery in Mankato. Mr. Clegg will lie in state from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. today at Melby Mortuary in Mankato.

James Cochran

AUBURN --- James Howard Cochran, 79, Auburn, died Thursday, March 22, 2001, at a Topeka hospital.

Mr. Cochran was a school administrator for many years. He also was a senior emergency preparedness planner.

He was a Marine Corps veteran of World War II and was decorated with the Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation, Presidential Unit Citation with a bronze star, Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, American Defense, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign with three bronze stars and a World War II Victory medal.

He was born Feb. 6, 1922, in Williamsburg, the son of James Barr and Mary Eva Hedrick Cochran. He earned a master's degree from Emporia State University in 1961.

Mr. Cochran was a member of St. Matthew Catholic Church and a life member of Post No. 15017 of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Disabled American Veterans.

He married Evelyn Reh on Dec. 20, 1946, in Coffeyville. She died May 19, 1993.

Survivors include five sons, Michael Cochran and William Cochran, both of Topeka, Patrick Cochran and Timothy Cochran, both of Auburn, and Gregory Cochran, Auburn; two daughters, Virginia Cochran and Elaine Cochran, both of Topeka; and 14 grandchildren.

Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Monday at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Topeka. Graveside services will be at noon Monday at St. John's Cemetery in Homewood where a Fort Riley funeral detail will conduct military honors. Mr. Cochran will lie in state at Brennan-Mathena Funeral Home in Topeka after 2 p.m. Sunday. A parish rosary will be recited at 2 p.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Three "R's" Campaign at St. Matthew Catholic Church, 2700 S.E. Virginia, Topeka, 66605.

Ina Davis

MERIDEN --- Ina M. Davis, 94, Meriden, died Tuesday, March 20, 2001, at a Winchester nursing home.

Mrs. Davis and her husband farmed in Franklin, Shawnee and Wabaunsee counties. She also had worked for Jones Alfalfa Milling Co. and at Forbes Air Force Base.

She was born June 10, 1906, in Overbrook, the daughter of John H. and Laura Grant Hill Miller. She had lived in Overbrook, Silver Lake, St. Marys and Maple Hill before she moved to Topeka.