Verlin E. Cokley, age 76, of Parkersburg, Illinois died March 19, 1996 at Welborn Baptist Hospital in Evansville, Indiana.

Verlin was born January 20, 1920 the son of Walter and Estella Stevens Cokley. He married June Carey. He was retired from the State of Illinois Department of Transportation and had been an Olney City Policeman.

Verlin is survived by his wife, June; son, James Lynn Cokley; daughter, Muriel Cokley; sister, Leila Stephenson and two grandchildren. 

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)

The following was published in Olney Advocate (IL) - August 10, 1944:

(SGT WW II EX POW - US ARMY)

Pvt. Verlin Cokley, 24 year old, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Cokley of Parkersburg, returned home last week after being held a prisoner of war in Italy for 18 months. Verlin took part in two of the first major offenses in North Africa soon after the landing of American Troops there in the fall of 1942. He was taken prisoner and shipped back to Italy to a prison camp and was released soon after the Americans started advancing up the peninsula of Italy. It is thought that Verlin is the first Richland County boy, held as a prisoner of war, to return home.