Rev. John G. Koch

John Gary Koch was given life by his Creator and was born on March 1, 1939 in Mason City, Iowa. He was the son of Alfred Koch and Florence (Hansen) Koch. On March 19, 1939 he received the gift of Holy Baptism and became a child of God. On March 29, 1953 he publicly confessed his faith and was confirmed. He received the precious gift of the Lord’s life-giving body and blood. On August 1, 1964 he received the gift of a beloved companion in his spouse, Connie L. Albers. They were blessed with four children: Rebecca (Rev. Stephen) Sandfort, Elizabeth (Rev. David) Meinzen, Timothy Koch, and Thomas Koch; and six grandchildren: Rachel, John, and Joseph Sandfort; Katherine, Anna, and Emily Meinzen. He was preceded in death by his parents. On May 27, 1966 he graduated from Concordia Seminary in St. Louis, and received a Call to Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Collinsville, Illinois. He was ordained into the pastoral ministry of the Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod on May 29, 1966. On August 23, 1967 he was commissioned as a chaplain (1LT) in the U.S. Army Reserves and served as a chaplain for 32 years. On January 11,1981 he was installed as senior pastor of Covenant Lutheran Church in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. He retired from full-time ministry on March 1, 2001 and began serving on a part-time basis. In the spring of 2002 he and Connie moved to Fort Wayne, Indiana. He assisted with the shut-in ministry of Holy Cross Lutheran Church for several years and served on the Board of Worship for Shut-ins. He played trombone in the New Haven Alumni Band, served as treasurer for the neighborhood association, belonged to the Fort Wayne Railroad Historical Society (restored the 765), and belonged to the Old Fort Model A Club. At his church, St. Paul’s in Fort Wayne, he served as an elder, sang in the choir, and played in the brass ensemble. God blessed John’s life with many special people as he served God in the church, the military, and all his other activities. Finally, on May 19, 2014, God blessed John with a heavenly death and took him home to rest in the arms of Jesus to await the resurrection from the dead. Funeral Service is 10 am, Sat, May 24, 2014 at St Paul’s Lutheran Church, 1126 South Barr Street, Ft Wayne (calling one hour prior). Calling also from 2-4 & 6-8, Fri, May 23, at Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home. Memorials to Worship for Shut-ins or St Paul’s Lutheran Church. Arrangements under the direction of Hockemeyer & Miller Funeral Home, Fort Wayne, IN.