Karl C. Koehler

Psalms 16:9 - No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice. My body rests in safety.

On Tuesday, August 31st, SFC Karl C Koehler received a joyous homecoming into the kingdom of heaven by his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Karl was born on 2/2/1953 in Bethesda, Maryland at the US Naval Hospital to Lt Commander Joseph Thomas Koehler and Lucille Regina (Reynolds) Koehler. Karl is the 4th oldest out of 10 siblings.

Karl joined the US Army in 1970, and traveled to various states and countries – Hawaii, Alaska, Ft Knox Kentucky, multiple tours in South Korea and Germany. Karl met his beautiful wife Song while he was stationed in South Korea. They were married on June 14, 1977 and have been married for 44 years. They have one daughter Lenna Koehler Hart.

Karl grew up in Cincinnati, Ohio with his 7 brothers and 2 sisters. He loved to play baseball and even had a chance to play for the major/minor leagues before he decided to join the US Army. He served his country well for 20 years and retired at Ft Benning, GA in 1990. He was a cook in the Army, and his last tour of duty was managing one of the mess halls on Kelly Hill at Ft Benning. He received many honors and awards for how he ran his mess hall. He would always cook it up for his soldiers, especially during the holidays so they would feel like they were at home. He really enjoyed his Army career.

Karl built a wonderful life living in Columbus, GA with his wife and daughter. He loved his family very much and would have given the shirt off his back to anyone when he could help. He was loved by many people and known as ‘Lenna’s Dad’ by his daughter’s friends. He loved cooking up big buffet style meals for his daughter and her friends when they would have numerous sleepovers at the house. He was a great cook for his family, and always had breakfast and dinner ready for them. His specialty breakfast was his fried egg and bologna sandwich that he would have ready every school morning for his daughter Lenna.

Towards the end of his life, Karl gave himself to his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. At the end of the day, his life was surrounded with love. He loved his grandson Jacob the most as he was his pride, joy, and legacy to carry on his loving and caring spirit. He was the best grandpa.

Karl will be missed dearly. Karl is preceded in death by his parents, older brother Joseph T Koehler Jr, and his wife Song Suk Koehler. Karl is survived by his daughter Lenna Koehler Hart, son-in-law Michael Hart, grandson Jacob Hart, his siblings – Charles (Kathann) Koehler, Caroline Fitzgerald, Walter (Vivian) Koehler, Mark (Pam) Koehler, Bruce (Annette) Koehler, Thomas (Brenda) Koehler, Shawn (Susan) Koehler, and Patricia (Terry) Hilsinger – and several nieces and nephews in the United States and South Korea.

The family would like to thank the staff at Piedmont Regional Midtown for all their caring, love, and support for the past few weeks of making Karl's life very comfortable and peaceful. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking that you donate to the Columbus Hospice in Columbus, Ga.

The family will host a graveside service with full military honors at Ft Mitchell National Cemetery on Friday, September 10th at 10:30AM.