Melvin A. Koch, 85, of Owensville, passed away Tues., Jan. 10, 2023, at Stonebridge Senior Living of Owensville.
Melvin was born on Aug. 9, 1937, to Arthur and Pauline (Walter) Koch in Bay.
He was united in marriage to Shirley Biehl, June 7, 1969, at Zion United Church of Christ in Bland.
Melvin was baptized and confirmed at Zion Evangelical and Reformed Church, currently named Zion St. Paul United Church of Christ at Bay. He was a faithful, lifelong member of Zion St. Paul and served on the church council and in any other manner in which he could.
Melvin attended grade school at Bay Country School and enjoyed telling many stories of the eight grades that he attended there. Home obligations required him to finish his high school education via correspondence courses, after which Melvin proudly served his country in the U.S. Army Reserves. Although Melvin learned the meaning of hard work from a very young age, his time was often filled with the enjoyment of baseball. He loved sharing and laughing about his years catching for the Bay Bears and playing with his cousin, David Koch and best buddy, Edgar Brehe. His story telling could go on and on. Melvin also enjoyed reading, listening to good old-fashioned country music, and telling a good joke.
Melvin devoted the majority of his working years to the Missouri Department of Transportation; from which he retired in 1999; but he still found time to continue cattle farming on the land of his childhood home.
Melvin was preceded in death by parents, Arthur and Pauline Koch; sister, Shirley Berkemeyer; infant son, Jeffery Koch; and son, Steven Koch.
He is survived by wife of 53 years, Shirley of the home; daughter, Stacy Caldwell and husband Lynn of Owensville; and grandchildren, Noah and Camryn Caldwell.
Funeral services were held Saturday, Jan. 14, at Gottenstroeter Funeral Home Chapel in Owensville. with Rev. Stephanie DeLong officiating. He was buried with full military honors at Zion Cemetery at Bay.
