IN LOVING MEMORY OF
Roger D.
Koch
November 30, 2015
Obituary
ELKHART — Roger D. Koch, 75, of Elkhart, went to his eternal rest Nov. 30 at Mayo Clinic Hospital in Phoenix.
Roger was one of five sons born to Bernard and Dorothy "Susie" (Harn) Koch, on April 7, 1940, in Goshen.
Roger married his wife of 51 years, E. Ann Welsh, on June 16, 1964, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elkhart.
Ann survives, as do their seven magnificent children, Bernie (Michael Quinn) Koch, Kathy Thompson, Andrea Koch, Craig (Rachel) Koch, Laura Koch, Margaret (Brandon) King and Kade (Sarah) Koch. He was the beloved "Paw Paw" to his cherished grandchildren, Randi Burkey and Emily Hayward, Colby, Aidan and Quinn Koch, and Jonathon and Samantha Claybaugh, and two great-grandchildren, Gabri and Willow Burkey. His brothers, Dick (Kate) Koch, Kenneth (Pat) Koch and Ronnie (Norma) Koch, survive as well.
Roger formerly worked for NIBCO and Goshen Rubber. He had his own machine shop in the 1970s, which he ran with his truly loyal friend Ken Ernsberger, after which he joined the team at Bendix Corp. (Honeywell) as a crew leader, machinist, and tool and die maker, joining with his father and two brothers already there. He retired after 38 years of service.
Roger was proud of his time served in the U.S. Army.
He was an avid NASCAR fan, with No. 24, Jeff Gordon, his favorite driver. He attended races at MIS (Michigan International Speedway) each June and August for the past 30 years.
He and Ann spent the last seven winters in Yuma, Ariz., which gave them the availability of the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, where they were able to receive help with his many health challenges, affording him additional time to be with his loving family and friends. Roger's family is thankful to the Mayo Clinic for the care and kindness given Roger during that time.
Visitation for Roger will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, with an hour visitation prior at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1108 S. Main St., Elkhart. The Rev. Glenn Kohrman will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, where military honors will be rendered by DAV Chapter 19.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to the church or Help in Healing Home Foundation, The Village at Mayo Clinic, 5811 East Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054. To share a condolence with the family, please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
Roger was one of five sons born to Bernard and Dorothy "Susie" (Harn) Koch, on April 7, 1940, in Goshen.
Roger married his wife of 51 years, E. Ann Welsh, on June 16, 1964, at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church in Elkhart.
Ann survives, as do their seven magnificent children, Bernie (Michael Quinn) Koch, Kathy Thompson, Andrea Koch, Craig (Rachel) Koch, Laura Koch, Margaret (Brandon) King and Kade (Sarah) Koch. He was the beloved "Paw Paw" to his cherished grandchildren, Randi Burkey and Emily Hayward, Colby, Aidan and Quinn Koch, and Jonathon and Samantha Claybaugh, and two great-grandchildren, Gabri and Willow Burkey. His brothers, Dick (Kate) Koch, Kenneth (Pat) Koch and Ronnie (Norma) Koch, survive as well.
Roger formerly worked for NIBCO and Goshen Rubber. He had his own machine shop in the 1970s, which he ran with his truly loyal friend Ken Ernsberger, after which he joined the team at Bendix Corp. (Honeywell) as a crew leader, machinist, and tool and die maker, joining with his father and two brothers already there. He retired after 38 years of service.
Roger was proud of his time served in the U.S. Army.
He was an avid NASCAR fan, with No. 24, Jeff Gordon, his favorite driver. He attended races at MIS (Michigan International Speedway) each June and August for the past 30 years.
He and Ann spent the last seven winters in Yuma, Ariz., which gave them the availability of the Mayo Clinic in Phoenix, where they were able to receive help with his many health challenges, affording him additional time to be with his loving family and friends. Roger's family is thankful to the Mayo Clinic for the care and kindness given Roger during that time.
Visitation for Roger will be from 3 to 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 10, at Billings Funeral Home, 812 Baldwin St., Elkhart. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday, Dec. 11, with an hour visitation prior at St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church, 1108 S. Main St., Elkhart. The Rev. Glenn Kohrman will officiate. Burial will follow in St. Vincent Cemetery, where military honors will be rendered by DAV Chapter 19.
In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial donations to the church or Help in Healing Home Foundation, The Village at Mayo Clinic, 5811 East Mayo Blvd., Phoenix, AZ 85054. To share a condolence with the family, please visit www.billingsfuneralhome.com.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Roger D. Koch, please visit our flower store.
Services
Visitation
December
11
St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church
10:00 - 11:00 am
Mass Of Christian Burial
December
11
St. Vincent dePaul Catholic Church
Starts at 11:00 am