Clair Kocher

Rev. Clair K. Kocher went to be with the Lord on November 12, 2011 at Cedar Haven, Lebanon.

He was born in Hershey, PA on March 2, 1917. His last home address was Weavertown Road, Myerstown. He attended Eldercare before becoming a resident at Cedar Haven in 2007.His parents, Charles and Edna (Keller) Kocher, wife, Irene (Light) Kocher(wife of 62 years) and son, Dean K. Kocher all preceded him in death. He was the oldest of six siblings who are all deceased(Arlene, Joyce, Charles, Fern and Harold).He is survived by: daughter-in-law, Hope( Levengood) Kocher, Myerstown, granddaughter, Heidi (Kocher) Brubaker, wife of Jeffrey Brubaker, Fredericksburg, grandson, Hans Kocher, Myerstown, great-grandchildren, Hudson and Harper Brubaker, Fredericksburg, sisters-in-law, Mary Allison, Annville, Betty Kocher, Lebanon, Mary Helen Kocher, Harrisburg, niece, Jill (Groves) Boyken, Kentucky, and many nieces, nephews, great nieces and nephews, and great-great nieces and nephews.God called Clair to preach at the age of sixteen. Later, he opened a mission in Annville and went into evangelistic work. He did church planting in Virginia. In 1947, he began a church in Hoke''s Meeting House (Route 72 South). That congregation moved to Third and Walnut Streets, Lebanon in 1963. Some of the charter members, along with others, continue to worship at that location as the Lebanon Wesleyan Church. Rev. Kocher also served as a pastor in the denomination''s East Allentown and Pine Grove churches, in addition to St. Elizabeth''s Congregational Church in Lickdale. He was part of a music ministry known as "The Gloria Singers". Rev. Kocher was licensed as an ordained minister with the Wesleyan Church until the time of his death.Clair had to drop out of school when he was in the 10th grade to help his family financially. He returned to school and received his GED in 1991 at the age of 74.Never a full-time minister, Clair was employed part-time in various positions throughout his lifetime. He retired from custodial work at both the Municipal Building and St. Andrews Presbyterian Church, Lebanon.He played the piano, organ, accordion, and trombone(many years ago). Clair enjoyed singing and listening to music. He liked to read, raise chickens(and some other farm animals) and was an avid flower and vegetable gardener. Clair wrote his autobiography in 1991. He loved and enjoyed his family.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund has been established for Rev. Kocher at the Wesleyan Church, 309 Walnut St, Lebanon, PA 17042. Gifts may also be sent to Seyfert Campmeeting Association, 3950 Main Street, Birdsboro, PA, 19508.

A viewing will be held on Wednesday, November 16, 2011 at 9:30am followed by the funeral at 10:30am at Lebanon Wesleyan Church, Third & Walnut Sts, Lebanon, PA.

Christman''s Funeral Home, Inc. is honored to serve the family with the arrangements.

www.christmansfuneralhome.com