MSGT Johann "John" Koch

MSG(Ret) Johann “John” Koch, 79, resident of Fortson and former resident of Columbus passed away on January 24, 2011 at his residence. The family will receive friends from 5-7 pm, Wednesday, January 26, 2011 at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Road Columbus, GA.

A funeral service will be held at Striffler-Hamby at 11:00 am, Thursday, January 27, 2011. Full Military Honors will be rendered following the service at Main Post Cemetery, Ft. Benning.

Mr. Koch, son of the late Adolf and Maria Koch, was born September 1, 1931. He was retired from the US Army where he served his country honorably for 22 years. During his career he served in both the Korean Era Conflict and in Vietnam, earning numerous awards and commendation medals including three Bronze Stars. His service also included assignments in Austria, Germany and Italy. He was a Lutheran by faith.

He is survived by his wife of 48 years Elisabeth of Fortson, GA; daughter Susanne Milner, husband Rex and granddaughter Savannah of Fortson; son Gregory Koch, wife Pamela, and grandchildren Matthew and Anna of Atlanta; sister Helga Gernassnig and husband Adolf of Montreal, Canada; brother-in-law Norbert Hofmann of Bamberg, Germany; sister-in-law Ingrid Krapp and husband Christoph of Bamberg, Germany; nieces and nephews; and other friends and family.

The family would like to thank the staff of St. Francis Hospital Emergency Room and 3-South and Columbus Hospice for their loving care.

Condolences may be offered at www.shcolumbus.com