John Thomas Kochan

John Thomas Kochan, 94, of North Myrtle Beach, died Wednesday, September 13, 2017 in Aiken, South Carolina.

Born in Scranton, Pennsylvania, John was one of eight children born to the late Walter Kochan and Stella Slavinski Kochan.

A veteran of World War II, he proudly served in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theater, American Theater, and Philippine Liberation.

John graduated from Hannover Township High School in Hannover, Penn. and Gregg College, School of Shorthand Reporting in Chicago. He worked as a court reporter in the states of Arkansas and New York until his retirement in 1988. At that time he relocated to North Myrtle Beach where he enjoyed bowling, fishing, and spending time with his family and friends.

As a widower for almost a decade, he was fortunate to be surrounded by a loving community. He never met a stranger. His family would like to thank his long time neighbors, the Sharpes, his buddy, Michelle Perrin, the waitresses and owners of Golden Griddle, The Shack, K&W Cafeteria, and Hoskins Restaurants, the staff at BB&T, the VFW in Little River, and Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church. There are numerous unknown others who blessed his life, and we are grateful.

He is survived by two step-daughters, Deborah Taussig-Boehner (James) of Aiken, SC and Marietta J. Boon (David) of Wellesley, Mass; six grandchildren, Christopher Boehner, Jaime Boehner, Philip Boehner, Megan Boehner, Andrew Boon, and Brian Boon; eight nieces and nephews, Janice Buchmann (Chris), Mary Jayne Milkanin (Michael), Marcia McIntyre (Richard), Karen Learmouth (Robert), Nancy Talbot (Thomas), Ronald Kochan (Christina), Leon Kochan, Edward Kochan, Jr. (Judy), John Kochan (Sherrie); and numerous grand nieces and nephews who loved him dearly and enjoyed their regular phone calls with him.

He was predeceased by his first wife Ruth Jefferson Johnson who he married in 1952, and his second wife Frances Joan Mumper Taussig who he married in 1975; three sisters, Laura Kochan, Mary Kunigel, and Helen Kornatowski; four brothers, Stanley Kochan, Walter Kochan, Joseph Kochan, and Edward Kochan; and two nephews, Stanley Kunigel, Jr., and Walter Kornatowski.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday September 18, 2017, at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, 410 6th Avenue South, North Myrtle Beach, S.C., The family will receive visitors at a reception in the Lyerly Family Life Center following the service, and internment with military honors will follow at Southern Palms Memorial Gardens.

Lee Funeral Home & Crematory of Little River/North Myrtle Beach is serving the family.

John adored the music programs at Ocean Drive Presbyterian Church, and the family requests, in lieu of flowers, memorials be directed to the Traditional Music Department, ODPC, PO Box 277, North Myrtle Beach, SC 29597.