Charles Edward Koch, 88, Bloomington, died at 6:50 p.m. Wednesday (Oct. 19, 2011) at McLean County Nursing Home, Normal.

His funeral will be at 9:30 a.m. Monday at Carmody-Flynn Williamsburg Funeral Home, Bloomington, and at 10 a.m. Monday at St. Mary’s Church, Bloomington, with the Rev. Ric Schneider officiating. Burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Bloomington, where military rites will be accorded by the Bloomington-Normal American Legion Honor Guard.

Visitation will be from 3 to 6 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home, with a prayer service at 6 p.m.

Memorials may be made to St. Mary’s School, where all eight of their children attended grade school.

Charlie was born May 17, 1923, in Bloomington, the son of Frank and Mary Salch Koch. He married Anne Marie Kniery on Oct. 1, 1949, at Holy Trinity Church in Bloomington. They were married for 58 years before she died on June 7, 2008.

He is survived by seven daughters, Mary (Jim) Thiel, Margie (Tim) Simmons and Jane (Tom) Harris, all of Bloomington; Christine (Rob) Knight, Normal; and Colleen (Jim) Stokes, Cindy (Joe) Stokes and Teri (Dan) Brady, all of Bloomington; one son, Jim Koch, Bloomington; and a sister, Anna Koch, Normal.

Also surviving are 20 grandchildren, Nancy (Grant) Bellis, Bill Thiel, Michael Thiel, Tom Thiel, Brian Simmons, Angie (Daniel) Brennan, Brett Simmons, Trisha Simmons, Brad Simmons, BreeAnn Koch, Jake Koch, Cristal Rever, Kim (Glen) Johnson, Kathleen Knight, Jenny Stokes, Kristi Stokes, Sean Stokes, Ashley Stokes, Danielle Brady and Tommy Brady; 10 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; four brothers, Otto, Frank, and twins Roland and Raymond; one sister, Dee Devine; and two infant daughters, Nancy and Susie Koch.

Charlie was a graduate of Trinity High School, Bloomington, and the Naval Air Technical Training Center at Navy Pier in Chicago. He served with the U.S. Marine Corps during World War II. Charlie was employed as a laborer for Local 362, Bloomington, and by the State of Illinois, working at Illinois Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Children’s School (ISSCS), Normal. He was a member of St. Mary’s Church, Bloomington; the Knights of Columbus, Bloomington; and the VFW.

He grew up by the lake at Miller Park where he learned to fish and swim from his older brothers. Later, he and Anne often vacationed at his sisters’ home at Lake of the Ozarks. He liked to fish and hunt, and also played baseball for many years. He was an avid Chicago Cubs fan and had memorable trips to Wrigley Field.

Charlie was a loving brother, husband, father and grandfather whose greatest pastime was spending time with his family. There are lots of fond memories from family and friends who often gathered at Mill Street. After retirement, he enjoyed preparing Saturday breakfast at Dawes Place for whoever would stop by.

He was a devout Catholic, who worked hard and taught his children and grandchildren invaluable life lessons.

The family extends their thanks to the staff at McLean County Nursing home for their compassionate care during his stay.

Dewitt Obits

Charles Edward Koch of Bloomington