Area Obituaries
Florence Mae (Squeak) Cochran, age 77, of Clarksville, Tennessee, formerly of Lawrenceville, Illinois, passed away on Monday, December 25, 2023 at the Good Samaritan Hospital in Vincennes, Indiana, after a brief battle with cancer. She was born on February 26, 1946 in Lawrenceville, Illinois, the daughter of Walter Petrashek and Izetta Watkins, who both preceded her in death. Florence graduated from Lawrenceville High School in 1964, went on to work for Golden Rule Insurance Company, then became a nurse at Lawrence County Memorial Hospital, working there for most of her career before moving to Tennessee becoming a travel nurse, where she eventually ‘retired’. She remained independent and active until shortly before her passing. She was a member of the VEW and in her younger days enjoyed playing on the women’s pool and bowling leagues. She enjoyed traveling, playing the slots, doing crafts, crocheting, playing music, and laughing. She had a great laugh and it didn’t take much for her family to get it out of her, sometimes to the point of running out of breath or crying. She never had a dull moment around her kids and grandkids, often times getting her so flustered she would have to go through the whole list of names before getting it right. Those left behind to love and miss her include her children: Kelly Waggoner of Lawrenceville, Illinois, Steve (Teresa) Waggoner of Robinson, Illinois, Jeff Waggoner of Tennessee, Dina (Brian) Stafford of Alabama, and Laci (Brandon) Cochran of Vincennes, Indiana; three brothers: Roger Petrashek of Lawrenceville, Illinois, Tony May of Indiana, and Billy May of Indiana; one sister: Marilyn May of Indiana; nine grandchildren: GT Ballance, Mikayla (Andy) Lumaye, BJ (Hannah) Wright, Paige Waggoner, Stephen Waggoner, Kaedyn Brawdy, Taylin Brawdy, Brandon Harper, and Briann Harper; several nieces and nephews; as well as the anticipated arrival of two great-grandchildren. A memorial service will be conducted on Saturday, December 30, 2023 at 10:00 AM CST at the Emmons-Macey ; Steffey Funeral Home in Lawrenceville, Illinois. Visitation will be conducted on Saturday from 9:00 AM until 10:00 AM CST at the funeral home. Please visit www.emmonsmaceysteffey.com to view the tribute and to send condolences
