Bernard Koch

Bernard “Ben” Koch, 82, of Winnie, died peacefully at 6:30 a.m. on August 6, 2018, at Baptist Hospital in Beaumont. Ben was born to Mathias and Alma Koch of D’Hanis Texas and is survived by his “lovely bride” Genevieve “Gen” Koch of Winnie; children, Glenn Koch and his wife, Bevan, of Pittsburgh; Allen Koch and his wife, Allison, of Winnie; Jennifer Hoelscher and her husband, Shane, of Spring; Kevin Koch and his husband, Robert Schmidt, of Austin; grandchildren, Ryan, Michael, Jonathan, Anna, and James Koch and Catherine, Grace, Benjamin, and Jacob Hoelscher. He was preceded in death by brothers, Leo and Gene, and sister, Louise Blount, and is survived by brother Matt M and sister Charlotte Lutz.

After graduating from D’Hanis high school in 1954, Ben worked as a cowhand at his uncle’s ranch in D’Hanis, which he enjoyed very much. He then served in the US Army for two years in California before returning to Texas. After meeting and marrying Gen in 1962 in Sinton, Texas, they moved to the Winnie area in 1964 where he worked as a supervisor at the Goodyear Chemical Plant for 35 years. After retirement in 1998, he and Gen traveled extensively and enjoyed time with their growing family and lifelong friends.

He was tirelessly devoted not only to his family and friends, but also his community, contributing countless volunteer hours to area schools, Little League, and St. Louis Catholic Church, serving as a member of the Knights of Columbus, running the rice ball booth at the Texas Rice Festival, and serving funeral meals well into his later years. He will be remembered for his intelligence, easy conversation, and good sense of humor.

A Rosary for Mr. Koch will be recited at 5:00 p.m., followed by a gathering of his family and friends until 8:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 8, 2018, at Broussard’s, 134 Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., Thursday, August 9, 2018, at St. Louis Catholic Church, 315 West Buccaneer Drive, Winnie. He will be interred in a private ceremony in D’Hanis, TX, at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in his name to the East Chambers ISD Education Foundation, 270 School Road, Winnie, TX 77665, www.ecisdef.com 409-296-8186.