Milton R. Kochert 1928-2026

Mr. Kochert was born Aug. 12, 1928, in Wheeling, W.Va., a son of the late Fred and Etta Elizabeth Kochert.

His family moved to Canfield in 1938. He graduated from Canfield High School in 1948, where he was active in extracurricular activities and was elected for the Mahoning County All-Star Basketball Team in 1948. As a junior in high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve.

While attending Youngstown College, he played freshman and varsity basketball, received his B.S. in Education and was an officer in Alpha Sigma Chi fraternity. He also worked as secretary to the district supervisor of Ohio State Liquor Stores and enrolled in the Naval Reserve Officer Candidate School.

Upon graduation from college in 1953, he was commissioned ensign, USNR. He served aboard the USS COOLBAUGH DE 217 as main propulsion officer and was later reassigned to the U.S. Naval Academy Preparatory School as an English instructor and basketball and track coach.

In 1956, he began his teaching assignments at Poland Seminary High School as a social studies teacher and basketball coach. He earned a master’s degree in education at Westminster College. Later he transferred to Austintown Fitch High School in 1964, where he instituted an American Government Team Teaching concept and started in 1972 AFHS Concert Choir’s Spring Tours, “Entertaining Veteran and Military Hospitals,” and they continue performing today. Returning to PSHS in 1972 as chairman and social studies teacher, he designed two political computer programs, having his students involved in local, state and national politics. He presented, implemented and coordinated numerous educational programs at local, state and national levels. He ended his teaching career of 30 years in 1986.

During his teaching career he was actively involved in the U.S. Naval Reserve as a training, division, commanding and battalion officer. During the two summers of 1962 and 1963, he served as company officer at Naval Reserve Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island. He designed VETRO, a curriculum for training all national active duty Naval Reserve Recruiters. He was co-founder of Western Reserve Council of Navy League and Sea Cadet Program and past president, WRCNL. As plank owner of the U.S. Naval Academy Information Program, he recruited numerous area candidates for USNA. He retired as captain, USNR, in 1978, after 31 years of active and reserve service.

Since 1954 he has been actively involved in Canfield Presbyterian Church’s activities and projects.

Milt was a Mason since 1955 at Canfield Argus Lodge No. 545 and a member of Youngstown’s Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley. He served as co-chairman for the CHS Classes of 1948 and 1949 reunions and was an active member of American Legion Post #177. He was involved in Canfield Community Club and Saxon Club activities. For 10 years, he presented a Christmas slide program to area organizations, and all contributions were donated to the American Cancer Society. He has given numerous patriotic speeches throughout Mahoning County and the State of Ohio. During the summer months he provided patriotic and military programs for the Youngstown Symphonic Band. Milt was always very active in his memberships and interests.

His personal motto has been “Enter to Learn and Depart to Serve.”

He, his wife Nancy, and their children have traveled extensively throughout the 50 states and they have toured the Panama Canal, Alaska, England and Germany.

Milt was an active tennis player until age 82, a founding member of the Boardman Tennis Club and winter player at Sarasota (Siesta Key) Beach Courts.

His honors and awards include the Freedom Foundation of Valley Forge’s Teachers Medal; Outstanding Educator by Poland Board of Education; 1994 Outstanding Educator, Poland Schools Scholar; nominated Outstanding Ohio Social Studies Teacher of the Year; Honorary Life Member of the National Education Association; U.S. Navy League, “Charles Watson Award”; and Honorary Grand Marshal, Canfield Fourth of July 2011.

Milt leaves his high school sweetheart and loving wife of 71 years, Nancy Montgomery Wellendorf Kochert, whom he married June 12, 1954; his children, twins, son Mark M. Kochert

of Powell and daughter, Allison A. (Christopher) Long of Indianapolis, Indiana; granddaughters, Kathleen (Bo) Holycross of Galena and Kylie (Neal) Yarberry of Powell, Stephanie Long of Indianapolis, Suzanne (Corey) Long Baker of Carmel, Indiana; and two great-grandchildren, Jane Yarberry and Dean Yarberry.

Besides his parents, he was preceded in death by an older brother, Frederick Nelson Kochert, and his younger brother, Donald W. Kochert.

Friends may call 11 a.m. until noon Saturday, Jan. 17, at Canfield Presbyterian Church.

Services will start at noon.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Canfield Presbyterian Church, Canfield American Legion Post #177 or the charity of your choice.

The family would like to give a special thanks to Dr. Thomas Burkert and the staff at The Inn at Glenellen.

To view this obituary and leave condolences for the family, visit www.lanefuneralhomes.com.

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