Olney Man Killed in Collision

Cisne – An Olney man was killed and another man seriously injured about 8 a.m. Saturday in a head-on collision on Illinois 161 extension about three miles west of this Wayne County community.

Dead is Bernard Lee “Bernie” Kocher, 40, the driver of one of the cars involved in the wreck. The second driver, Ted Frey, 19, of Keenes, and airlifted to Welborn Baptist Hospital, Evansville, Indiana, with numerous injuries. The hospital declined Sunday to release a condition report on Frey.

Illinois State Police reports indicate Frey’s car was eastbound in the westbound lane of the highway. Kocher, whose car was westbound, attempted to get off the road on the right hand shoulder but the Frey car struck it head on.

No citations have been issued and an investigation is continuing, according to a state police spokesman at Carmi.

Herald & Review (Decatur, IL) – Monday, August 2, 1993

Bernard Lee "Bernie" Kocher, 40, Olney died Saturday, July 31, 1993 in Wayne County due to an automobile accident.  Burial in St. Joseph Cemetery in Olney.

Mr. Kocher was born June 19, 1953 in Richland County, the son of Julius and Ruth (Steber) Kocher.

Mr. Kocher was self-employed as an oil field pumper. He was a member of the St. Joseph Catholic Church in Olney and a member of Olney Eagles Club and the Moose Club.

Survivors include his fiancee, Teresa Barber of Olney; two sons, Joshua Lee Kocher and Keith Allen Barber, both at home; two daughters, Natalie Suzanne Kocher and Shannon Marie Barber both at home; one brother, Clifford Kocher of Seabrook, Texas; four sisters, Mrs. Barbara Richey of West Liberty, Mrs. Betty Albrecht of Newton, Mrs. Nancy Ginder of Jacksonville, Fla., Mrs. Norma Jean Fletcher of Olney; his parents, Julius and Ruth Kocher both of Olney.

Published in Olney Daily Mail (IL)