Shirley Frances Cochran Wiencken, known to all as Sug, passed away at the age of 97 on January 11, 2025. She was born to Walter Raymond and Etta (Johnson) Cochran on a farm in Milan, Missouri, the 8th of 10 children, on April 2, 1927.
Sug attended a one-room schoolhouse and was grateful to have had a simple and carefree childhood. When she was 10, the family moved to Valparaiso, Indiana where she went to school “in town” and met Joe Wiencken when they were classmates in the eighth grade. In her senior year, Sug was named Valparaiso High School’s first ever Homecoming Queen. After Joe returned from WWII, they were married on July 4, 1947. Together they raised eight children; five of their own and three of Joe’s nephews. Sug was wholly devoted to her big family and loved watching it eventually grow to include nine grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren. She was an incredibly talented artist, a great cook and seamstress, a witty lover of life, and a ruthless card shark. She loved going on a good road trip, watching the seasons change on Long Lake, entertaining us with lively renditions of her favorite songs, and calling the annual games of Santa Bingo on Christmas Day. She was always ready with a cookie in her pocket for any grand dog that came to visit. More than anything, she had a talent for making all of her children feel like they were her favorite. Hers was a long and spunky life, full and well-lived.
Sug was preceded in death by Joseph, her husband of 57 years; their son Joseph; nephew, Clifford Davis; daughter-in-law, Melanie Wiencken; great-grandchild, Cooper Toney; and 8 of her 9 siblings. She is survived by her brother, Leroy Cochran of Neosho, MO; and her children: James (Shyla) Wiencken of Terre Haute, Carol (Stephen) Meyer and Julie (Joel) Smith of Valparaiso, and Linda (Scott) Williams of Arlington, TX. Her surviving nephews are Robert (Sabrina) Davis of Richlandtown, PA, and Daniel (Linda) Davis of Dyer. Sug is also survived by nine grandchildren: Joshua (Sara) Wiencken, Andrew (Whitney) Wiencken, Lindsay (Kyle) Toney, Tessa (Kevin) Piet, Ella (Wesley) Lane, Ava (Garrett) Meyer, Lillian Williams, Molly (Caley) Wrinley, and Jolee Smith. Her surviving great-grandchildren are Charlotte, Maxwell, and Lucille Wiencken; Cora and Everly Wiencken; Griffin, Gwendolyn, and Theodore Toney; Macklin and Miller Lane; and Leo Piet.
There are no plans for an immediate funeral. A celebration of Sug’s life will be held at a later date.
GUESTBOOK
What a beautiful person your mom was. She always had a twinkle in her eyes and kind words. May you all find peace thru this and take comfort in the love she gave to others. -Cara Smith
I spent many good years working with Joe at Indiana General. We knew each others spouses and kids during those years. Shirley sat ahead of Ed and I at FUMC for many years. A dear person loved by all, I celebrate our friendship and acquaintance. -Barbara Coulter
