Cleo Koch

Cleo J. Koch, 102, died Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at his home in Tremont.

Born Nov. 24, 1918, in Tremont, a son of Daniel R. and Mary Baurer Koch, he married Halo Ruth Moushon on Sept. 27, 1941 in East Peoria.  She preceded him in death in 1987.  He married Nancy Beutel Koch on March 19, 1989 in Tremont. She preceded him in death in 2010.

Surviving are two daughters, Sheryl R. (David) Wingert of Atlanta, Georgia, and Mary (Herbert) Fritz of Durham, North Carolina; two sons, Dr. Gary A. (Marlee) Koch of Vashon, Washington, and C. John (Dawn) Koch of Cheyenne, Wyoming; three step-children, Rachel (Jim) Sauder, Nathan (Sandi) Koch, and Nelson (Mary) Koch, all of Tremont; 8 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren, 17 step-grandchildren, and three step great-grandchildren. He is also survived by one sister, Carolyn Bolliger of Tremont and two brothers, Daniel and Elmon Koch, all of Tremont.  Two sisters and seven brothers preceded him in death.

Cleo was a veteran of World War II, serving in the European theater.  He worked for 30 years as a staff engineer for Caterpillar Inc. in East Peoria, a graduate of the four-year Machinists’ Apprentice Course.  Cleo also worked as an insurance broker, house builder, and land developer.  He was a member of the Apostolic Christian Church in Tremont.

Cleo tried to live his life to be faithful to his Lord and an example to his children and grandchildren.  During his long and varied life’s journey, if he chose a course of action in any endeavor, he threw himself into the effort with fervor and zeal, as directed in Colossians 3:23: “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men.”

A memorial service will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials can be made to Apostolic Christian Restmor in Morton. Burial will be at the Apostolic Christian Cemetery in Tremont. Davis-Oswald Funeral Home in Tremont is handling the arrangements

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Cleo Koch, please visit our floral store.