LaVern Sidney Lee Cockerill, 87, of Jefferson City, died Wednesday, April 18, 2007, at his residence. He was born on Sept. 18, 1919, in Emerson, NE, the son of Sidney and Elnora Large Cockerill. He was married on Aug. 10, 1946, in Rockville, MD, to Jerene Margaret Maier who survives at the home. Mr. Cockerill was employed as a mechanic with the Missouri Water Patrol for many years until retiring in 1981. He was a United States Marine Corps veteran of World War II and the Korean Conflict. He enjoyed gardening. Other survivors include one brother, the Reverend Rolland Cockerill, Tieton, WA. He was preceded in death by one brother, Bernard Cockerill. Graveside services with military honors will be 1 p.m. Saturday, April 21, 2007, at Evangelical Cemetery in California, MO. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorials to a charity of the donors choice. Dulle-Trimble Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Those wishing to email tributes or condolences to the family may do so at the www.dulletrimble.com website.