Jerome I. Kocian, 101, of Hallettsville, passed away Dec. 2, 2009. He was born on July 31, 1908 to Frank & Emilie Darilek Kocian Sr. in the Komensky area of Lavaca County. He married Alice Henkhaus Kocian on Sept. 4, 1934 in Shiner. They celebrated their 75th wedding anniversary in 2009. Jerome was a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church and was a lifetime honorary member of the Knights of Columbus in Hallettsville, having served in that organization for over 75 years. He was a member of the Hallettsville Chamber of Commerce and a member of the Lions Club with over 50 years of perfect attendance. He was also a member of, and active in, the Hallettsville Rodeo Association and the Fiddlers' Frolics and was always ready to help in any civic organization or civic activity.

Jerome attended school at Komensky, Wied, and Moravia and received his high school diploma. He went on to attend college at South Texas State Teacher's College and received his bachelor's degree in 1936 and then went on to receive his Master's Degree in Math from the University of Houston in 1952. He taught school for 35 years in several Lavaca County rural school districts. These included Dixon, Stacy, Komensky, Baursville, Hallettsville, and Garwood. He also served as the Elementary Principal at Plainsview and at Louise in Wharton County and finished his career at Rice Consolidated High School. His career extended far beyond his teaching duties. He was also the owner of Lavaca County Abstract Company, was an experienced insurance broker, acted as a lease agent for various oil and gas companies, and farmed and ranched a large family estate.

Jerome is survived by: his wife of 75 years, Alice; 5 sons, Robert Kocian of Houston, David Kocian & wife Alice of Plantersville, Jerry Kocian & wife Gwen of San Antonio, Donald Kocian & wife Linda of Brenham, and Carl Kocian of Schulenburg; 3 daughters, Annette Krupala & husband Wayne of Hallettsville, Jeannette Jahn & husband Jimmie of Hallettsville, and Barbara Hanna & husband Wayne of Chula, Georgia; 22 grandchildren, James Kocian, Karen Abbruscato, Kim McCarson, Gary Krupala, Michael Jahn, Brian Jahn, Greg Kocian, Bruce Kocian, Amy Burleigh, Aaron Hanna, Jonathan D. Kocian, Suzanne Kocian, S. Brett Kocian, Brandon Kocian, Brandy Kocian, Lauren Kocian, Lindsey Kocian, Travis Kocian, Scott Kocian, Allison Kocian, Paige Schiro, and Ashley Kocian; 5 step grandchildren; and 17 great grandchildren, Sherra Jean Petro, Mark Francis Abbruscato, Kiley Kocian, Michael Kocian, Colin McCarson, Emma McCarson, Kevin Jahn, Keith Jahn, Chase Kocian, Katie Kocian, Christian Kocian, Aiden Kocian, Kevin Burleigh, Caroline Burleigh, Jacob Hanna, Molly Hanna, and Jack Schiro.

Jerome was preceded in death by: his parents; son James Kocian; granddaughter Sharon Kocian; 6 brothers, Frank Jr., Eugene, George, Ben, John, and Edwin Kocian; and sister Emily Wengler Rab.

Funeral Mass: 2 pm, Friday, Dec. 4, 2009 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Visitation: 2 pm, Thursday, at Kubena Funeral Home. Rosaries: 7 pm, Thursday, at Kubena Funeral Home; and 1:30 pm, Friday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. Officiate: Rev. John Peters. Pallbearers (grandsons): Michael Jahn, Gary Krupala, Brian Jahn, Greg Kocian, Bruce Kocian, Aaron Hanna, Jon Kocian, Brandon Kocian, Brett Kocian, James Kocian, Scott Kocian, and Travis Kocian. Burial: Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery. Memorials: Sacred Heart Catholic Church or Charity of your Choice.