Winona Cocking Peithmann

 

Winona Cocking was born April 12, 1919 in Jacksonville, IL to William Henry Cocking and Winona Epes Benefiel Cocking.  Byron Henry Cocking was her brother who died in infancy.  Her sister was Marian Cocking Kelsey (Walter D.); their son is William Kelsey.

Both Marian and Winona graduated in the class of 1940 from MacMurray College, Jacksonville, IL, where their grandmother had also attended.   Winona “Nonie” was class secretary from 1940 – 2010.

Miss Winona Cocking taught at Paxton, IL High School; New Trier High School in Winnetka, IL; and Illinois Commercial College in Champaign-Urbana, IL.

On August 21, 1943, Winona Cocking married Ortheldo Arthur Peithmann, who grew up on the family farm south of Hoyleton, IL, the son of Arthur Herman and Alice Louise Hake Peithmann.  Orth’s sister is Lorraine Peithman Orr (Clyde) and their children are Judy, Randy, Kathy, and Robert.  Orth’s and Lorraine’s little brother, Robert Earl Peithman, died at age three.

After serving in the U.S. Army Signal Corps during World War II and graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law, Orth opened the Peithmann Law Office in Farmer City, IL in 1948.  Nonie was his office assistant and a Certified Public Accountant.

In addition to working together in the office 1948 – 2006, Orth and Nonie served  their church and the Farmer City community.  They were particularly proud of the Farmer City Fire Protection District which they helped to start and which they served until 2005.

Orth and Nonie have three children:  Alice Marian Peithman Kropp (Gregory William), Robert Cocking Peithman, and William Arthur Peithmann.

Orth and Nonie have seven grandchildren:  William Gregory Kropp (Tonya), Marian Alice Kropp (Jennifer), Robert Warren Louis Kropp, Robert Curtis Peithman (Penny), Brian Christopher Peithman, Susan Emily Peithman (Joel), and Devin Brockland Peithmann.

Orth and Nonie have one great grandson:  Miles Gregory Kropp, and three great-granddaughters:  Miranda, Mikayla, and Melody Bryant.

Ortheldo Arthur Peithmann died on October 13, 2006.  Orth and Nonie were married for 63 years.

Winona Cocking Peithmann died on June 7, 2010.

Both Orth and Nonie donated their bodies for research. 

Memorials may be made to

            Class of 1940 Beautification Fund

                        MacMurray College Office of Institutional Advancement

                        447 East College Avenue

                        Jacksonville, IL 62650

            Outreach Ministries

                        P.O. Box 101

                        Farmer City, IL 61842

            Fire Protection District

                        C/O Jim Hammer

                        825 East Richardson

                        Farmer City, IL 61842

            Farmer City United Methodist Church

                        101 South Williams

                        Farmer City, IL 61842

Or to the charity of the donor’s choice.

A memorial service will be held at a date to be announced.