Verne Kochel

January 23, 1946 - November 22, 2018

Verne Kochel, 72, of Herscher passed away on Thursday, November 22, 2018 at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. He was born on January 23, 1946 in Joliet, the son of Everett and Kathryn “Katie” Kochel. Verne married Sharon Chastain on September 3, 1988 in Herscher. Verne retired from Reichhold Chemical after 22 years of employment. He enjoyed riding his Harley with his wife, camping, playing pool, watching Chicago sports teams, and most importantly getting his family together and enjoying a cold draft beer. He is survived by his wife Sharon Kochel of Herscher; his children Christi (Scott) Landeck of Herscher, Dawn (Dave) Schroeder of Grant Park, Julie (Paul) Gossage of Colorado Springs, CO, Jennifer (Christopher) Baglio of Dexter, MI, Soren (Karen) Jensen of Herscher and Lars (Sherah) Jensen of Chebanse, and Sena (Jeremy) McKissack of Bonaire, GA; one brother Clarence (Mary Ann) Kochel of Joliet; fifteen grandchildren Nick (Aeriel) Landeck, Kris Landeck, Tyler (Tiffanie) Schroeder, Josh Schroeder, Sarah Gossage (Colin Hogan), Jacob (Hailie) Gossage, Devyn Devore, Thomas Baglio, Amelia Baglio, Olivia Jensen, Jack Jensen, Walter Jensen, Jentz Jensen, Violet Jensen and Aiden McKissack; and one great-granddaughter Aria Schroeder. He was preceded in death by his parents, nine brothers, one sister, and his beloved dog Roxie. Cremation rites have been accorded. Memorial visitation will be held on Monday, November26, 2018 from 4pm until the 7pm memorial service at Schreffler Funeral Home in Kankakee. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association.