John Koch

John Koch, Jr., 87, of Benton Harbor, passed away Wednesday, April 11, 2007 in Ft. Myers Beach, Florida. A Celebration of Life Memorial Service will be held at 1:00 P.M. Saturday at Starks & Menchinger Family Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Rd., St. Joseph with Pastor Chuck Gray officiating. Memorials may be made to Alzheimer’s Disease Research. Those wishing to share a memory or sign the guest book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com. John was born June 19, 1919 in Benton Harbor to Albert & Marie (Gerlach) Koch. He was a life-long area resident, other than the five years he spent in the Army-Air Force as a warrant officer, stationed in Panama City, FL. On January 31, 1942 he married the former Dorothy Bishop. Following his honorable discharge from the Army-Air Force, John returned to the area and founded Koch’s Carpeting Service, which he owned and operated for 40 years before his retirement. He was a true craftsman and took pride in applying this craft to thousand of homes in the twin cities area. John was a member of the St. Joseph Elks Lodge #541 for 56 years. In his spare time he enjoyed fishing, hunting, golf and bowling. John is survived by his wife of 65 year, Dorothy; two sons Chris Koch & John Koch III and his wife Rosalie, 3 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren, 4 step grandchildren and 4 step great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his sister Alberta “Toots” Schroeder.