Vic Cokel, the 2002 male recipient of the James J. Toal Ph. D. Alumni Achievement Award was born in Aalter, Belgium, and arrived in the United States following World War I. He enrolled here at Immaculate Conception in 1918.

Vic's four brothers; Adolph, Bernard, Maurice, and Robert, and four sisters; Mary, Margaret, Laura, and Ruth, all attended ICS. When Vic graduated from ICS in 1926, he began a business relationship with his brothers Bernard and Maurice. Being owner and proprietor of Cokel Trailer Court and active still with his welding business today. For those unfamiliar with the family, the hallmark of the Cokel family in the welding business is well known. Family members, as many as six, have owned welding businesses across Western Illinois.

Vic's involvement and service to this parish and school is among the longest legacy of service known to us. Of special note, fifty-four members of the Cokel family lineage attended ICS. Vic and his late wife, Irene, have seventeen great grandchildren, all who attended Immaculate Conception School. For every year of our school's existence, some member of the Cokel family (up until 2001) was in attendance.

Vic has always been involved in parish and community functions his entire life. He has served this school and parish in so many remarkable ways. His talent and shared abilities of Bud and Coke his brothers, along with Clarence Hawk at the school, parish, Knights of Columbus, cemetery, or community with his metal and welding works have kept things together figuratively and literally.

He is famous for his Mississippi Catfish & Chicken dinners, a financial contributor to our parish and school, in addition, has contributed to numerous organizations in the area. He continues to sponsor area baseball teams and assists in float displays for the school and Knight of Columbus organization prior to the annual Prime Beef Festival in September of each year.

Always supported in his endeavors by his late wife, Irene; Vic's 4 children are Barb Leezer, Alice Clark, Robert Cokel & Jerry Cokel. In addition, two great-grandchildren, who represent the families 'fourth generation' of family graduated from ICS in 2001.

Vic Cokel has earned the respect and admiration of so many associated with ICS. His legacy is one of service and his when he was asked what the cost of his labors were, always replys with a request for "a cup of coffee and a roll from the cooks!"

Congratulations and thank you for your years of service to this parish and school.

Back to TOP