Jocie Elizabeth Kircher

Jocie Elizabeth Kircher, age 97, of Greencastle, died on Sunday, Oct. 16, 2016.

She was born Jan. 18, 1919 in Sheldon, Vernon County, Mo., and was the daughter of Roy and Eulalia Mary (Phipps) Cunningham.

She graduated from Sheldon High School, Sheldon, Mo., in 1937. After high school she studied cosmetology and hairdressing and was licensed by the state of Missouri to practice in 1941.

On Aug. 27, 1939, she married Austin Ralph Kircher. In 1948, Jocie moved with her husband and family from Pleasant Hill, Mo., to Greencastle to operate Colonial Hatcheries.

In 1952, they bought the hatchery and operated it as Kircher's Hatchery until 1962. Jocie was secretary, bookkeeper, chicken tester and salesperson with Austin at the hatchery. She also worked for the Agriculture Stabilization and Conservation Service (1960-61).

She joined the Happier Homes Home Economics club and served in many official positions over 44 years. Jocie was a member of the Greencastle School Board (1972-80) and was elected president in 1975. She was an active member of Gobin Memorial Methodist Church and held several offices in the church. Jocie was active in the Greencastle Order of Eastern Star and was Worthy Matron (1957), District Deputy (1958), and Grand Esther (1962) of that organization. She was also a Lady Lion.

From April 2006 until January 2014, she resided at Mill Pond then from January 2014 until her death she resided at Autumn Glen.

She was preceded in death by her parents, six brothers, Jim, Elvis, Jack, Homer, Clyde and George, and one sister, Maudie.

Her husband of 63 years, Austin Ralph Kircher, died Aug. 5, 2002 in Greencastle.

Survivors include a daughter, Beverly Jean Flood, a son, Jim Kircher, three grandsons, Joe Kim, Daniel Kim and Jeff Kircher; eight great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial service will be conducted at 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5 at Gobin Memorial Methodist Church. Pastor Bryan Langdoc will officiate.

Memorial contributions can be sent in care of Greencastle Memorial Methodist Church, P.O. Box 66, Greencastle.