C. Henry Koch

C. Henry “Heine” Koch, 95, formerly of St. Joseph, passed into the waiting arms of his Lord and Savior, Wednesday, November 21, 2007, in Monticello, Illinois. A Celebration of Life Service will be held at 10:00 A.M., Tuesday, November 27, at Trinity Lutheran Church, 619 Market Street, in St. Joseph, with Pastors Thomas Batsky and Michael Roth officiating. Burial will follow at Riverview Cemetery. Visitation with the family will be held Monday evening, from 5:00 to 8:00 at Kerley-Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph. Memorials in Heine’s memory may be made to Trinity Lutheran School. Those wishing to send his family a message of condolence may do so online at www.starks-menchinger.com. Heine was born on May 5, 1912, in St. Joseph, MI. He was one of nine siblings born to August and Pauline Koch. On November 30, 1936, he married Dorothy Morgan in Eau Claire, MI. Together they had six children. Heine was a long-time faithful member of Trinity Lutheran Church. He worked for over 30 years at Gast Manufacturing in Benton Harbor as a machinist. Previously he worked for Baker-Cooper Wells and for the Whitcomb Hotel in St. Joseph carrying luggage “up the hill from the railroad depot and the ferry.” Heine was an enthusiastic sports fan who coached youth baseball and basketball as well as men’s fast pitch softball. Additionally he was an avid Detroit Tigers fan. In his pastime, he enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, and baking. Heine also loved playing games including checkers, euchre, and pinochle and was known for playing a competitive game of shuffleboard. In recent years Heine spent his winters in Zephyrhills, Florida and most recently was living with his son in Hamel, Illinois. Most important to Heine was his cherished relationship with his family and his trusting relationship with his Lord, Jesus Christ. Heine “never had a negative thing to say about anyone” and this was evident in the way he lived his life. Heine is survived by his children, Jayne (Frank) Mc Cleary of Hulmeville, PA, Charles (Alice) of Stevensville, Edward (San Juana) of Penndel, PA, John, of St. Petersburg, FL, David (Vicki) of St. Joseph, and Stephen (Lynn) Koch of Hamel, IL; and by his 16 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. In addition to his parents, Heine was preceded in death by his wife Dorothy in 2001; and by his two sisters and six brothers. Heine would have liked to wish his loving family and friends a fond “Auf Wiedersehen” until we meet again!