of Dexter, Michigan, formerly of Anderson, Indiana, Muncie, IN, Ann Arbor, MI, and Warren, age 81, passed away Thursday, February 20, 2025, at Angela Hospice in Livonia. He was born May 22, 1943, in Anderson, Indiana, the son of Lowell and Edith (Fleener) Cochran.
Paul came from a family of Quakers and was a long-time member of the Ann Arbor Church of the Nazarene. Most recently, he was a non-denominational Christian. He served in the Army National Guard from 1969 - 1972. Paul was a talented musician who learned to play by ear. He enjoyed creating and recording his own music with his son, Ryan, and former band mate, Jeff. One of his projects was recording the first five books of the Bible with music and sound effects. Paul loved live music and especially watching the band Salmagundi.
Paul married Catherine Elaine Butler on November 14, 1982, and she survives. He is also survived by his sons, Aaron (Sandra) Cochran of Aurora, Colorado, Ryan (Tonya Horvath) Scherz of Belleville; daughters, Deanna (William) Rittinger of Pinckney, Stacey Allport-Ging of Ann Arbor; grandCHILD, whom Paul and Catherine raised, Navi Allport of Clinton Township; grandchildren, Elinor Kaminski, Mark (Robin) Culp, Jr., Alyssa (Jackson) Garlington, Kimberly (David) Gibson, Jessica (Jonathan) Howson, Megan (Jared) Rittinger-Scott, Taylor (Nathan)Wiley, Alexis (Steven) Pardo, Mackenzie Cochran, Kyle Cochran, Elijah (Lauren) Scherz and Lucy Scherz; 8 great-grandchildren; brother, John (LuAnn) Cochran; sister, Barb Umberger; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Charles Cochran; sister, Dea Hall; and brothers-in-law, Pete Hall and Wilber Umberger.
Funeral services were held Tuesday, February 25, 2025, 11:00 a.m. at Cole Funeral Chapel in Chelsea, with Pastor Dan Robelen of Dexter Gospel Church officiating. Burial followed at Oak Grove East Cemetery in Chelsea. The family received friends Monday, February 24, 2- 4 p.m. and 6 - 8 p.m. at Cole Funeral Chapel, and before the service Tuesday, from 10 - 11 a.m. Memorial contributions may be made to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research.
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