Margaret E. (Kocher) Magnan

Margaret E. “Meg” Magnan, 77, of Carrabelle, Florida, formerly of Decatur, Indiana, passed away Friday, November 3, 2023, at her residence. She was born in Decatur, Indiana, on December 18, 1945, to the late James L. Kocher Jr. and Mildred (Wolfe) Kocher. On September 9, 1989, she married Thomas H. Magnan. He survives.

She was a former member of the First Presbyterian Church. Meg was a graduate of Decatur High School, class of 1964. She received her Bachelor of Arts Degree with High Distinction, from Indiana University in 1968, and in 1970, she received her Master of Arts Degree in Teaching. After teaching in the Boston area for three years, Meg worked with state and national organizations promoting the rights of people with disabilities.  

In 1993, she returned to Decatur with her family. Meg taught GED classes for 17 years. She assisted approximately 250 students in attaining their GEDs. She loved this challenging work. Meg also spent 15 years, co-leading the Fort Wayne area Post-Polio Support Group, this group offered support and resources to aid members in aging with a disability. 

She also started tracing the family genealogy.  For 30 years, this hobby was a highlight for her. In 2020, on the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower, she found that some of her ancestors had been passengers on the Mayflower.

Meg is survived by her children, Josie (Dan) Haspel and Sam Magnan; grandchildren, Ellie, Zach, and Zoe Haspel; siblings, Mary (Donna Adams) Dygert and Sheryl (Dick) Hamstra; her nieces and nephews, Andrew (Echo) Bond, Jane Bond, Lynsey (CJ) Schwartz, James (Miki) Hamstra, Joey (Nica) Hamstra, Katie (Kelly) Votolato, and Ivy (Brodie) Wright. 

She was preceded in death by her sisters, Ann (Bill) Bond and Vicki (Kenneth) Frazier-Sapp; brothers, John L Kocher and Jack Robinson.

A Memorial Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. on Saturday, November 18, 2023, at Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home, followed by a 1:00 p.m. Memorial Service. An Inurnment will take place in Decatur Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the donor’s choice.

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