Thomas Howard Koch

Thomas Howard Koch, age 61, of Sebewaing, passed away Thursday, February 13, 2020, surrounded by the love of his family. He was residing at New Hope Bay in Bay City along with his wife, Kris. Tom was diagnosed with a Glioblastoma brain tumor in March 2019; he fought the toughest battle of his life quietly and courageously.

Tom was born in Pigeon, MI on May 23, 1958, to Howard and Helen (Leonhardt) Koch. He attended Bach-Kilmanagh grade school and graduated from USA High School in 1976. On January 14, 1978, Tom married his classmate, Kristine Roller at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Unionville. His work experience began in 1975 for Sebewaing Farmer's Co-Operative until 1987; he then went to work for Sebewaing Light and Water as a lineman, retiring in 2013.

Tom was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, Sebewaing, since 1984, having served as an Elder, and an Usher.

He was always willing to use his many talents to help others.  In retirement, Tom's greatest joy was loving, teaching and spoiling his Grandchildren, they made his life complete. He will surely miss seeing them grow up.

Tom enjoyed the competition of participating in basketball, fast pitch softball, golf, hunting, and fishing.  Be it the woods, golf course, lake, or ball field, he enjoyed spending those special times with his family and great friends.

Tom will be greatly missed by his wife of 42 years, Kris; he was extremely proud of his children and their loving spouses: Tara (Troy) Vermeersch and Steven (Vanessa) Koch; grandchildren: Luke, Ella, Cole, and Leah Vermeersch, Abram and Journee Koch; siblings: Don (Ann) Koch, Linda Haberlein, Julie (Doug) Cojeen, Janet (Jeff) Gorney and Pam (Chris) Wagner; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law: Charlie (Deb) Roller, Jim (Vickie) Roller, Dave Batchelor; and many nieces and nephews who added love and enjoyment to his life.

Tom is preceded in death by his parents: Howard and Helen Koch; mother-in-law and father-in-law: Ralph and Ida Roller; brother-in-law, Bill Roller; and sister-in-law, Connie Batchelor.

Visitation will be Thursday, February 20, 2020, at Juengel & Mellendorf Funeral Home in Sebewaing, from 2-8pm.

The funeral service will be Friday, February 21, 2020, at Immanuel Lutheran Church in Sebewaing. Visitation will begin at the church at 10am until the time of service at 11am.

Burial will be private at Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Sebewaing.

Memorial donations may be given to Immanuel Lutheran Church, Christ the King Lutheran School, or Hermelin Brain Tumor Center/Henry Ford Hospital.

Tom's family would like to thank the staff at New Hope Bay and The Care Team Hospice for their care and support of both Tom and Kris over the past 3 months.