Virgil Chochon

Virgil Chochon, age 83, of Columbus, died Thursday, February 13, 2020 at Brookstone Acres in Columbus.

Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 a.m. Monday, February 17, 2020 at St. Isidore Catholic Church.  Visitation is Sunday from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. with a 5:00 Vigil service at McKown Funeral Home.  Visitation will continue Monday morning at 9:30 a.m. until service time at the Church.  Burial is in All Saints Cemetery with Military Honors by American Legion Hartman Post # 84 Honor Guard.

Virgil Chochon was born February 20, 1936, in Columbus to Alois and Barbara (Kosiba) Chochon. He attended St. Michael's in Tarnov, and graduated from St. Francis High School in Humphrey. He entered the Navy in 1955, served on the USS Nicholas destroyer escort stationed in Pearl Harbor from 1956 – 1957. He then attended UNO – UNL 5 years graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering. His 16 year GE career moved them to Louisville, KY, Schenectady, NY, Roanoke, VA, Tyler, TX, Pittsfield, MA and Burlington, IA. At 42 years old he embarked on a different career as owner and manager of True Value Hardware in Crete, NE. Virgil served one year as President of the Rotary Club, two terms as finance chairman of Sacred Heart, Crete. Twenty-three years later he retired in Columbus where he facilitated the Parkinson's support group for six years, and volunteered for three years at St. Vincent's. Virgil was united in marriage to Elaine Eisenmenger on September 5, 1959 at St. Francis Catholic Church in Humphrey. His hobbies included tractor pulling, bowling, sports and dance. His love of baseball led him to coach each of his boys (8 – 12) year olds, never having a losing season. Later Virgil pursued his mechanical abilities fabricating a four cylinder, 300 horsepower rig, racing in various competitions.

Virgil is survived by:
Wife: Elaine of Columbus, NE
Son: Gary of San Jose, CA
Daughter: Lori (Michael) Klein of Stromsburg, NE
Son: Jeffrey of Portland, OR
Son: Stephen (Jon) of Phoenix, AZ
Son: Michael (Genice) of Omaha, NE
Daughter: Catherine of Salida, CO
Sister: Irene Backes of Columbus, NE
Sister: Sr. Margaret Chochon of Colorado Springs, CO
11 Grandchildren and 1 Great Grandchild

He was preceded in death by:
His Parents: Alois & Barbara Chochon
Brother: Richard Chochon
Sister: Clara Olsan
In-laws: Mary Chochon (Richard), Alex Olsan (Clara) & Vic Backes