Elmer Dean Cochran, 83, of Burden, Kansas passed away Thursday, July 6, 2023 at Wesley Medical Center.

Born April 14, 1940, in Winfield, he was the son of Fines Samuel and Ethel Mae (Kingsbury) Cochran.  He was raised and received his education in Dexter, graduating from Dexter High School in 1958.  Following high school, he attended Emporia State University and obtained a Bachelor degree in teaching.  He later received his Master's in Industrial Arts from Fort Hays State University.  Elmer taught Industrial Arts in various schools before beginning his career at Bluff City and later at Inman High School.  He taught at Inman for 28 years before retiring.

Elmer was united in marriage to Sharon (Stout) Pauls on March 31, 1979, in Las Vegas.  The couple lived in Inman and Hutchinson for many years before moving to Burden in the early 2000s.

Elmer was a 60 year member of the Masonic Lodge, both Winfield #110 and Clinton Lodge #233 in Burden.  He was also a member of the Burden Methodist Church, the National Education Association, and a life member of the NRA.  He was an avid fisherman and hunter, a skilled woodworker and collector of many things.  He loved to travel.  He and Sharon traveled to England six times, as well as to Scotland, Ireland, France, Germany, and Switzerland, and many places in between.  Elmer was a proud Red Cross volunteer and also enjoyed coaching girls basketball.

His family includes his wife, Sharon, of Burden; his step-daughter, Vickie Hull and husband, Bert, of Lawrence; seven step grandchildren; several step great grandchildren; a cousin, Irvin Parsons and wife, Shirley, of Burden; and numerous other cousins.

In addition to his parents, Elmer was preceded in death by two step-daughters, Nichola Greer and Penny Mulligan.

Memorial services are pending and will take place at a later date.

A memorial has been established in Elmer's name for the Cowley County Humane Society. Contributions may be made through the funeral home.