Obituary of Margaret Ann Kocher

Margaret Ann Kocher, 87, of Pennsylvania Furnace, died Sunday, February 5, 2023, at Geisinger Medical Center.

Born June 23, 1935, in Benner Township, she was the daughter of the late Joseph R. and Dorothy Dotterer Hartle. On November 20, 1954 she married John H. Kocher, Jr. who preceded her in death.

She is survived by three children, Nancy Hamner and her husband Phil of Mount Joy, Dorothy Markle and her husband James of State College, and Gary Kocher and his wife Christie of Pennsylvania Furnace; three siblings, Paul Hartle and his wife Ellen, Dorothy Houtz and her husband Ronald, and James Hartle; ten grandchildren, Eric Stine, David Kocher, Tara Kocher, Valerie Markle, Vanessa Markle-Kerestes, Marie Laird, Tonya Forster, Casie Oncea, Evan Kocher and Dillon Kocher, and eight great-grandchildren, Riley Kocher, Jace Stine, Chase Laird, Zayden Forster, Avalyn Laird, Flynn Forster, Karina Laird and Laken Kocher. In addition to her parents and husband, Margaret was preceded in death by two siblings, Florence Stringer and Joseph Hartle, Jr.

Margaret was a Bellefonte High School graduate. After graduation she started working for her family's business, Bellefonte Milk Products, until she married her husband. She grew up on a family farm and once she married her husband, they successfully operated their own dairy farm, Breezy Farms, in Pennsylvania Furnace, that is still in operation today. She was a spirited and strenuous worker who instilled the value of hard work and perseverance in all that were close to her.

Margaret was an accomplished baker who made sure to have a full cookie jar for anyone who visited her. When she wasn't in the kitchen you could find her tending to her flower and vegetable gardens. She also enjoyed quilting, needlepoint, and watching sports (especially Penn State Football). After retirement, she enjoyed bird watching and Sunday rides through the farmland with her husband.

She was a member of Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, as well as the PFA, Baileyville Grange, and a leader in the 4-H. She adored her grandchildren and found comfort in having them close by. Margaret loved her family and enjoyed attending family reunions and Christmas celebrations to keep in touch with extended family.

The family would like to thank the Home Instead caregivers.

Visitation will be held Friday, February 10, 2023, from 10-11am at Koch Funeral Home, 2401 S. Atherton Street, State College. A funeral will immediately follow at 11am with Father George Jakopac and Reverend Gene McCallips officiating.

Burial will be private at Graysville Cemetery.

Memorial contributions can be made to Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church, 820 Westerly Parkway, State College, PA 16801 or the Home Instead Foundation, https://www.homeinsteadcharities.org/donate/ , 2100 E. College Ave. B, State College, PA 16801

Online condolences may be entered at www.kochfuneralhome.com or visit us on Facebook.