Michael Allen Kocher, 76, of Inman, Kansas, died on January 7, 2024 after contracting a respiratory illness in mid-December. Michael was born on June 22, 1947 to Ralph and Margaret Kocher in Olney, IL.

After graduating from Olney High School in 1965, he went on to study sociology at SIU Carbondale. After graduating from SIU, Michael was offered a position at JAMP, where he worked with at-risk students in a greenhouse that flourished under his care. He always had a love and a gift for tending all varieties of plants.

Soon after, Michael met and married Pearletta, who had a young son, Timothy. They would go on to have three more children together: Mikele, Matthew, and Kristin. The loss of Matthew, to a rare heart condition in his first year of life, greatly shaped Michael's faith and his walk with God.

During his early adult years, Michael and his family lived in rural Southern Illinois. Nestled in the midst of high rolling hills of the Mississippi River valley, it was a haven of beauty. The family spent most of their summers at his parents' cabin on Olney Lake.

Life circumstances changed after the children left home, and Michael's marriage was dissolved.

Yet following that ending would come a treasured new beginning. Michael set off for Hutchinson, KS, where he met and came to love Barbara Bartel. After meeting Barbara, he never came home – except to visit! Michael and Barbara were united as life partners on October 2, 2008. He had found his place and settled into a simple, yet full life where he was content and happy. He gained the love of a new extended family, lavishing them all with lots of yodeling – thankfully not his own!

Michael and Barbara had sixteen wonderful years together. They liked to travel and to go out to eat. They enjoyed visiting with their neighbors at Pleasant View Estates. Michael enjoyed drinking coffee and discussing the Bible with the other men there.

Michael was a determined optimist. He always brought fun and laughter. He was a rock, a source of encouragement, always ready to point you back to a God who is faithful even in the hardest of times. He never met a stranger. He had no problem waxing long about his thoughts and opinions, but even though he disagreed with you, you always knew he loved you. You especially knew he loved you if he had an inappropriate name for you! Michael was the same person in every situation. You always knew what you were going to get, and you knew it was going to be fun.

Some things about Michael never changed: his love for and trust in a God who hears, his belief that everything will work out in the end, and maybe this should have be mentioned first-- his love for hot wheels and oldies music. He was the life of the party, the most loyal friend, the best Daddy, the warmest, cuddliest Papa, and the most devoted husband/life partner.

He is survived by his beloved life partner, Barbara Bartel of Inman, KS; stepson, Tim (Teresa) Kocher of Jonesboro, TN; daughter, Mikele (David) Grabbe of Fort Mill, SC; daughter, Kristin Medina of Charlotte, NC; Barbara’s sons, Danny (Michelle) Bartel of Inman, KS and Clifford Bartel of Lindsborg, KS; grandchildren, Sophia Kocher, Mason (Elizabeth) Kocher, Emma Kocher, Aidan Kocher, Chloe Kocher, Charis Grabbe, Danielle Grabbe, Isaac Grabbe, Megan Grabbe, Vera Medina, Aaron Bartel, and Abbie (Sam) Cruz; Sister, Becky (Larry) Mayer of Marion, IL; Brother, Tom Kocher of Olney; and Kathy (Louie) Haenggi of Olney; several nieces, nephews, and cousins; and his cherished dog, Tucker.

Michael was preceded in death by his parents, infant son, Matthew, and nephew, Michael Mayer.

The family would like to thank the nurses at Hutchinson Regional Medical Center for their care of Michael, unwavering support for Barbara, and their presence for those of us who could not be there ourselves.

A funeral service will be held for Michael at 11:00 AM on Monday, January 15, 2024 at Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home in Olney, with a visitation beginning one hour before service time at the funeral home.

A private family burial will take place in St. Joseph Cemetery in Olney at a later time.

Kistler-Patterson Funeral Home, Olney, IL