Francis E. Koch
Francis “Fritz” E. Koch, age 79, of Mendon, Il went to be with his Lord and Saviour on Saturday, October 5, 2013. Francis was born on November 9, 1933 in Mt. Sterling, IL and was the son of Eugene & Irene (Garthaus) Koch. He married the love of his life, Phyllis Sparrow Koch on December 30, 1953 in St. Mary Catholic Church in Quincy, IL. She survives. Francis served in the US Navy from June 1953 to June 1957 aboard the USS Midway.
Francis worked for Fuller Brush Company for 5 years and his customers referred to him as “The Whistler” as they could hear him whistling as he walked form house to house selling the preferred home products of the time and still today. He worked for Shelby Business Forms for 5 years and Lever Brothers Company for 25 years before retiring in 1991. Francis enjoyed hunting and fishing but most of all he enjoyed the time spent with his sons and daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Francis was a member of St. Francis Solanus Catholic Church in Quincy, IL
Francis was a member of the Lever Brothers 25 years Club, Past Member of the Optimist Club, Gardner Museum, Quincy Library, Quincy Preserves, Cursillo and Marriage Encounter, and was a Past President of St. Rose Parish Council.
In addition to his wife, Phyllis, Francis is also survived by:
EIGHT CHILDREN: Peggy (Dean) Kirkpatrick of Memphis, MO; Cindy (John) Scheiter of Hallsville, MO; Toni (Dan) Kamphaus of Fowler, IL, Pam (Mark) Koch of Peoria, AZ; Teresa (Dennis) Koch of Peoria, AZ; Tim (Tammy) Koch of Fowler, IL; Matthew Koch of Quincy; John Koch of Mendon, IL.
ONE BROTHER: Maurice “Morry” Koch and his wife Patricia.
GRANDCHILDREN: Joseph John Siebrasse and his wife Tara; Dennis Kirkpatrick, Dustin Kirkpatrick, Chad Scheiter and his wife Dusty, Nicholas Scheiter, Shawn Scheiter, Heather Moeller and her husband Brent; Ryan Kamphaus and his wife Lacey; Randy Koch and his wife Sara; Tia Koch, Kacie Koch, Johnathon Koch, Tyler Koch; Cody Benjamin, Samantha Benjamin; Alexius Brewer; and Jaylin Lubbert.
GREAT-GRANDCHILDREN: Nicole Siebrasse; Joseph Siebrasse; Cara Koch, Jillian Kirkpatrick; William Koch, Dylan Kirkpatrick; Tucker Moeller, Hunter Moeller, Journey Kamphaus, Kaden Kamphaus, Colten Scheiter; Addilyn Scheiter, Maddison Kay Powers; Caleb Lenane, Levi Lenane, and Carter Lenane.
Francis was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 at 10:00 AM in the Duker & Haugh Funeral Home and at 10:30 at St. Francis Catholic Church. Interment in Calvary Cemetery with military rites conducted at the cemetery. Visitation will be held on Tuesday evening from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Memorials may be made to the Blessing Foundation for HOSPICE or to the Heart Association.
Phyllis, My thoughts and prayers are with you and all the family. It’s been years since I’ve seen any of my cousins. I remember Fritz being such a nice man. May he Rest in Peace.
Dear Phyllis,
its been many years sine I had seen you and Fritz, what a great couple you were while at St. Rose too. you both were so kind, and then Fritz last year had a bronze plaque of the St. Rose that he wanted to give back, which was place outside at the back door of the church.
I will have a mass said for Fritz there and will let you know, God Bless you and thanks for sharing Fritz with us .
Paul K. Geers, president of the Latin Mass Society of Quincy/Historic St. Rose of Lima Roman Catholic Church
Sammy, Mark, Randy and Tia: Our condolonces on the death of your father/grandfather.