John Anthony Koch

NEWCASTLE — John Anthony Koch, 39, Newcastle, died June 11, 2022, among family and friends, due to an accident while breaking a horse.

Mass of Christian Burial was June 16 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Newcastle, with Rev. Jim Kramper officiating. Burial was in Calvary Cemetery,

Burial was in Calvary Cemetery, Newcastle. Pallbearers were Ray Stanley, Matt Hascke, Zachary Korth, Beau Bensen, DJ Blatchford and Daryl Johannsen.

Honorary Pallbearers were his sister, Laura; and brothers, Steve, Russ, Ken, Matt, Bill, Jim and David.

Visitation and a vigil service were June 15 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, with Rev. David Liewer officiating, and continued one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Arrangements were under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home, Hartington

The Vigil Service and Funeral were livestreamed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live.

John Anthony Koch was born Sept. 26, 1982, delivered by his dad in the farm house in which he grew up southwest of Newcastle. He attended Newcastle Public School kindergarten through second grade and attended Wynot Public Schools, Wynot, grades three through his senior year, graduating from Wynot in May 2001. After high school graduation, he attended Briar Cliff College, Sioux City, Iowa, for one year then transferred to Wayne State College, graduating in May 2006 with a bachelor of science degree in safety and industrial technology. During college at Wayne, he began working parttime for Phillips Kiln as a maintenance technician in South Sioux City, and upon graduation, was offered full-time employment. During college, he was a Rugby player and enjoyed time with his team mates. After a few years of employment, Phillips changed ownership, so he began working for SBI out of Waterbury. To devote more time to his family, he left them and started work as a maintenance tech of special operations at Siouxland Ethanol, where he worked until his death.

His dream was to become a rancher. He had started his cow herd, had his horses and was very close to fulfilling that dream.

John was an avid businessman, inventor, craftsman, horseman and musician. He definitely loved the outdoors and was ready for adventure and a good fishing trip. He purchased old run-down business buildings and made them into unique places that served him well for his two bar/restaurant businesses. He cherished his faith, always worked hard, was a loving and devoted father and an unselfish kind-hearted friend to many. He was always ready to lend a helping hand. A quote from one of his friends: “John Koch you were a giver of life … you brought joy and life out of everyone around you! You were my greatest friend and we were inseparable all through high school. We have memories that last a lifetime and stories of things we did, things we shouldn’t have done, and everything in between. Words can’t really explain how much you meant to me and how special our times were!” Another friend also described him well: “I met John at a Teens Encounter Christ weekend and he was our Silent Leader. What he said to me then, changed my life forever and made me the man I am today.”

John was a member of St. Peter’s Catholic Church and its choir. He and his brother, Dave, sang the “Ave Maria” for many funerals and weddings, including their dad’s. He enjoyed playing his guitar and having a songfest with others. More than anything, he loved his family, especially his two children, Sawyer and Ty. They meant everything to him. He was an avid cook, always making sure his children had wholesome meals and snacks.

Survivors include a daughter, Sawyer Michelle Koch; a son, Ty Anthony Koch; his mother, Carol Koch, Newcastle; a sister, Laura Murphy, Vermillion, S.D.; brothers, Steven, Coleridge; Russ and Sara, Newcastle; Kenneth, Big Lake, Minn.; Matthew and fiancée, Laura, Cozad; William and Gina, Newcastle; James and Stephanie, Laurel; and David and Elizabeth “Liz,” Persia, Iowa; many nephews, nieces, great-nephews and nieces, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald “Jerry” Koch; maternal grandparents, Elmer and Ruth Cook; and paternal grandparents, Martin and Marie Koch.

The family would prefer memorials be directed to the Newcastle Fire Department or to the Newcastle’s Community Club.