James Frank Cochnar, 80, of Grand Island, died surrounded by his family, Thursday, July 19, 2012 at St. Francis Medical Center.  Funeral Mass will be held Monday, July 23, 2012 at 10:00 am at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Grand Island with Father Joseph celebrating. Burial will follow at Westlawn Memorial Park Cemetery in Grand Island with military honors. Visitation with the family present will be Sunday from 4-7 pm with Rosary at 7:00 at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Livingston-Sondermann Funeral Home is assisting the family. The family prefers memorials to the family for later designation.
James was born to James Joseph and Anna (Musil) Cochnar on February 21, 1932 in Dodge, NE. He was raised in Dodge, attending school there until the family moved to Grand Island where he graduated from St. Mary's Catholic School in 1950. After graduation he worked for the Union Pacific Railroad until enlisting in the military. He served in the Navy from 1951-1955 on board the USS Iowa during the Korean War as a damage controlman second class. He married Anna Mae Carkoski on August 18, 1956 in Loup City. The couple made their home in Grand Island raising 8 children. James again worked for Union Pacific Railroad until his retirement on April 19, 1992.
His hobbies included word search puzzles, fishing, collecting John Wayne items, cooking-especially ribs and horseshoe cookies, family vacations, and building things. He was a member of the American Legion, VFW, Eagles, Veterans of the USS Iowa, and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
James is survived by his wife: Anna Mae; sons: James M. Cochnar of Des Moines, IA, John (Angela) Cochnar of Grand Island, Joseph (Cathy) Cochnar of Grand Island, Jerome (special friend Deb) Cochnar of Grand Island; daughters: Kathy Cochnar of Grand Island, Connie Cochnar of Grand Island, Annie (Alan) Kahle of Grand Island, Cindy (special friend John) Cochnar of Grand Island; grandchildren: Chris (Andrea) Cochnar, Kayla (Rylan) Little, Joey Cochnar, Richard Cochnar, Stephanie (Heath) Cutler, John Kahle, Savannah Kahle; great-granddaughter: Kristen Cochnar; sisters-in-law: Dorothy Ann (Robert) Pape of Grand Island, Mary Carkoski of Loup City; many nephews and nieces, and special family friend: Dave Willard.
James was preceded in death by his parents, father and mother-in-law, and brother-in-law, Jerome Carkoski.