Tributes

Kocher, Wilma L. age 93 of, New Martinsville, WV passed away Monday, February 14, 2011 at the Ritchie Personal Care Home, Sistersville, WV. She was born July 28, 1917 in Wetzel County, WV the daughter of the late George Thurman and Edna Nan Clark Kocher. Wilma began her career in 1940 as Secretary/Clerk at the First National Bank, New Martinsville then in January 1941 she worked as a Clerk/Stenographer in the Veterans Administration and War Production Board. Wilma then had the opportunity to work for the Oil Companies in Lebanon and Colombia and in government in the following countries: Turkey, Korea, Germany, Morocco, Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan. Then in 1974, she moved back to New Martinsville to help care for her mother and sister who were critically ill. She then went back to work as the Clerical Assistant in the Circuit Court of Wetzel County before retiring as the Magistrate Secretary to Judy Goontz at the age of 77; was a member of the New Martinsville United Methodist Church where she was a member of the Women's Circle and was a member of the American Federal Service Association. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by three sisters; Norma Beryl Ballouz, Beulah Vaughn Kocher and Mary Louise Mahana and one great niece; Stephanie Mahana. Survivors include: one brother: Eldon (Ardith) Kocher of New Martinsville; five nieces and nephews: Greg Kocher of New Martinsville, Lisa (Clyde) Kocher Stillion of Proctor, WV, E. Renee (Eric) Beard of Morgantown, WV, Lt. Col. Shawn (Chung Hwa) Mahana of Seoul, South Korea and Ret. Lt. Col. Chris (Col. Tammy) Mahana of Montana; six great nieces: Jackie Stillion of Huntington, WV and Mackinsey Stillion of New Martinsville, which were also her God Daughters; Evelyn Beard and Elaina Beard both of Morgantown, WV, Christine Mahana of Seoul, South Korea and Hannah Kocher of Roanoke, Virginia; three great nephews: Tyler Mahana of Washington, J.C. Mahana of Montana and Ian Kocher of Ohio; one great great nephew: Jonathan Deitz of Huntington, WV. Friends will be received at the Grisell Funeral Home, 751 Third St., New Martinsville, WV from 10:00 a.m. until time of services at 12:00 p.m. Saturday, February 19, 2011 with Pastor Melissa Shortridge officiating. Interment will follow in the Greenlawn Memorial Park, New Martinsville, WV.