Colleen Joan “Cody” (nee Parmenter) Cochran, 81, of Peoria, Illinois, formerly of Galesburg, Illinois, died at Timbercreek Rehab and Health Center, Pekin, Illinois, at 4:12 p.m. on Wednesday, October 29, 2025.
Colleen was born May 9, 1944, in Galesburg, Illinois, the daughter of William R. and Fontella E. (nee West) Parmenter. Colleen grew up in East Galesburg and graduated from Galesburg High School in 1963. Colleen began working as a tech at Galesburg Research Hospital following high school. She met James J. Cochran, and they were married on March 13, 1965, in Galesburg. Colleen and Jim eventually moved to Peoria, and she then began working as a property manager at Alpine Village until she became a homemaker. Jim and Colleen eventually divorced. Colleen eventually returned to the workforce for several years prior to retiring.
Colleen is survived by one son, Christopher J. (Maria Eva) Cochran, of Peoria, Illinois; one brother, Joseph (Barbara) Parmenter of Guthrie, Oklahoma; and one great grandson, Jaxon J. Cochran. Along with her parents, Colleen was preceded in death by one grandson, Nicholas J. Cochran; five sisters, Mildred Bybee, Evelyn Johnson, Kathryn Monzo, Carol Cutts, and Laura Clevenger; and two brothers, Howard Parmenter and Roger Parmenter.
Colleen was proud to own a 1957 Chevrolet. She was full of life and had a great sense of humor. Colleen enjoyed shopping and spending time with family and friends.
Visitation will be 3-4:15 p.m. Thursday, November 6, 2025, at Watson Thomas Funeral Home and Crematory, Galesburg. Prayer services will follow at 4:15 p.m. with Deacon Michael Crummer officiating. Private family entombment of her cremated remains will be at Oak Lawn Memorial Gardens, Galesburg. Online expressions of sympathy may be sent to the family at www.watsonthomas.com.
