Connie Gayle (Brown) Ochs

Connie Gayle Ochs, 78, of North Vernon, passed away at 7:37 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2026, at her residence.

Born January 20, 1948, in Jennings County, the daughter of the late William and Audrey (Hall) Brown. She married Michael Ochs on July 14, 1968, at Graham Baptist Church in Butlerville; he survives.

Connie was a 1966 graduate of North Vernon High School and a graduate of House of James Beauty College. She was a lifelong beautician.  Connie was a member of the First Baptist Church in North Vernon, 2017 Republican Woman of the Year, a member of the Vernon Historical Society, Gideon’s International Women’s Auxiliary.  She was the former First Lady of North Vernon, secretary for the Center Township Trustee, and Psi Ota Xi. Connie enjoyed shopping, collecting antiques, Civil War re-enactments, and being with her family and friends.

Survivors include her husband, Michael; her sons, Chad Ochs of North Vernon and Jeremy (Jessica Risacher) Ochs of Scipio; her daughter, Michelle (David) Owens of Columbus; sister, Diana (Tom) Taylor of North Vernon; grandchildren, Alexis (Josiah) Mullis-Hamilton and Madison Ochs, both of Alabama, Max Bright, Spencer (Savannah) Bright, Phoebe Bright and Marley Ochs, all of Columbus, and Hailey Risacher of Scipio; and step-grandchildren, Sean and Morgan Owens of Lawrence, and Hanah Owens of Noblesville..

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters, Cheryl Boggs and Nanette Claghorn, and aunt, Lillian Carmer.

A funeral service for Connie will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 20, 2026, at the First Baptist Church in North Vernon with the Rev. Dan Barringer and Rev. Braden Adams officiating. The visitation for family and friends will be on Thursday, March 19, 2026, from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m.  and one hour prior to the service on Friday at the church. Burial will follow in the Vernon Cemetery in Vernon.

Memorials in honor of Connie may be made through the funeral home to Gideon’s International.

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