Edward Joseph Kocmich

CELEBRANTS
Rosary and Scriptural Wake Service
Rev. Fr. David Stevens
Mass of Christian Burial
Rev. Fr. Mathew Vazhappilly
Msgr. Carlton Hermann
MUSIC
Organist ~ Georgianne Pravecek
St. George Choir
Congregational Hymns
CASKETBEARERS
Ed’s Grandchildren
Laura Kocmich Rec
Julie Kocmich Williams
Eric Kocmich
Nicholas Kocmich
Natasha Kocmich
Jonathon Kocmich
Michelle Behl Hlavac
Jennifer Behl Bierle
Michael Behl
Edward J. Kocmich was born to John and Caroline (Binder) Kocmich on February 28, 1915 near Avon, South Dakota. He died November 16th at Avera McKennan Hospital, Sioux Falls after a brief illness.
Ed graduated from Lone Tree No.1 in Charles Mix County near Dante, South Dakota. He worked on the family farm in the 1930’s and was in the Civilian Conservation Corp (CCC) in Custer, South Dakota. Ed worked different jobs in Sioux City, Iowa from 1939 until 1943.  On April 26, 1943, he married Esther M. Pollock.  He served in the United States Navy as a gunner’s mate on the Stvank Wellington, a gasoline tanker in the Pacific Theater, from 1943 until December 1945. Ed started farming in 1948 and farmed near Hurley, Yankton, and Lesterville until retirement in 1982. Ed and Esther moved to Scotland, South Dakota, where he was a substitute mail carrier for Scotland and Lesterville for 20 years. He served on the Scotland City Council. He was a member of St. George Catholic Church. Ed was a life member of the American Legion, VFW, and Disabled American Veterans (DAV). He was also a member of the Knights of Columbus of Tyndall, South Dakota. Ed loved playing cards, watching the local baseball team and being with his family.
Ed is survived by his three sons: Eugene (Gene) and wife Jeanine of Hampton, Virginia, Gerald (Jerry) and wife Fran of Omaha, Nebraska, Charles (Chuck) and Lisa Lavoie of Phoenix, Arizona; a daughter, Margaret (Peg) and husband Dick Behl of Scotland, South Dakota; five granddaughters, four grandsons, and six great-grandchildren; his sisters: Alvina Krcil, Hattie Pudwill, Dorothy Pudwill, and Mildred Roth; and three sisters-in-law: Leona Kocmich, Ella O’Hara, and Josephine Kluemper.
He was preceded in death by his wife Esther, his parents, two brothers, two sisters, ten brothers-in-law and two sisters-in-law.