JAMES P. KOCH, 79, of Fort Wayne, passed away Saturday, July 7, 2012, at St. Joseph Hospital. Born May 29, 1933, in Petersburg, Neb., he was the son of the late Frank J. and Elizabeth (Brachle) Koch. He was a US Army Veteran of the Korean war. He worked at Chars Furniture for 16 years and was Owner-Operator of Koch Hydroponics for three years, retiring in 2011. He had donated over 100 pints of blood the the American Red Cross and was a volunteer at St. Mary's Soup Kitchen. Surviving are his long time companion, Charlyn Koch; stepson, Frank Barnhart; stepdaughters, Leslie Williams, Charlyn Bishop and Debbie Baker; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral service is 10 a.m. Friday, July 13, 2012 at C.M. Sloan & Sons, 1327 Wells St. with visitation one hour prior. Fr. Timothy Wrozek officiating. Burial in Prairie Grove Cemetery. Preferred memorials to The American Red Cross or St. Mary's Soup Kitchen
