Jean Louise Kocher

Jean Louise (Drexler) Kocher passed away Monday, August 25, 2025, aged 96, at the home of her daughter Rosemary Jaswa in Virginia. She was the wife of the late Donald Edward Kocher, Sr. who passed away November 26, 1972. They were married on February 9, 1952 at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Reading, PA.

Born at St. Joseph's Hospital in Reading, she was the daughter of the late Joseph John Drexler and Berneda Ethel Grace (Chelius) Drexler. Jean graduated from Bangor High School in Bangor, PA in 1947, where she played on the girls' basketball team. She then graduated frmo St. Joseph's Hospital School of Nursing in 1950, as a Registered Nurse. She first worked at Norristown State Hospital, then St. Joseph's Hospital, and finally for several decades at Berks Heim where she was known as "Mrs. K". Most recently, Jean researched her genealogy and became a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution through her Revoluntionary War ancestor, Nicholas Buck. Jean was a lifelong member of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church. Jean's mother Berneda taught her to knit when she was nine years old and she enjoyed knitting items for her family and friends. She was a member of the Catholic Women's Club of Berks County and knitted newborn outfits as part of the layettes that the club donated to new mothers.

Jean is survived by brother Karl Drexler (Judith), sister-in-law Deanna Drexler, daughter Rosemary Jaswa (David), son Donald, Jr. (Susan), daughter Suzanne Petsch (Kim), and daughter Anne Rocktashel (George). Also surviving are grandchildren: Matthew Jaswa (Jennifer Hammond), Rebekah Reimer (Drew), Andrew Jaswa (Elizabeth), Jennifer MacKenzie, Natasia Kocher (Bertus Wessels), Stephanie Grejdus (Jeffrey), Michael Petsch, Samuel Rocktashel (Victoria Herbruck), Jacob Rocktashel (Olivia Kimmel), Simon Peter Rocktashel (Carissa Gonzalez); great-grandchildren: Lucille Jaswa, Josephine Reimer, Julia Allison, Hunter Allison, Mason MacKenzie, Caroline MacKenzie, Sebastian Wessels, Chloe Wessels, Madison Grejdus, Chase Grejdus, and Oonagh Petsch; and great-great-grandchildren: Anastasia and Vincent Allison.

Jean was predeceased by her husband Donald, parents Joseph and Berneda, brother Joseph Drexler, son John, granddaughter Trina Allison (John), and grand-son-in-law Matthew MacKenzie.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, Septebmer 4, 2025 at 1:00 pm at St. Paul Roman Catholic Church, 151 N 9th St., Reading, PA 19601, follwed by burial at Gethsemane Cemetery in Laureldale, PA.

Condolences may be expressed at kuhnfuneralhomes.com. Memorial contributions may be made in memory of Jean to Blue Ridge Care, 333 W. Cork St., Suite 405, Winchester ,VA 22601.