Charles William Koch passed away on October 9th, 2024, surrounded by his family, after a 2-year battle with cancer. Charlie was born on June 20th, 1955 to Sylvester and Dorothy Mergenmeier Koch of Baileyville, Kansas.

Charlie was the 3rd of 12 children and helped run the family farm when his father passed away. Charlie loved working on the farm and continued to do so until the end of his life.

After graduating from B&B High School in 1973, Charlie helped his mom and siblings run the family farm until he joined the United States Army as a way to help support the family. He was active duty in the Army for 4 years, during which he spent time patrolling the Berlin Wall in Germany. He also spent time in Spain, England, Italy, and France. Upon the end of his active-duty term of service, he joined the National Guard and then later transferred to the Army Reserves. More importantly, as he was transitioning from active duty to the guard, he met the love of his life, Annette Deters in 1979, and they were married in 1982 at the Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.

He spent most of his military career in the Army Reserves as a Cavalry Scout and later a Drill Sergeant. During this time he graduated from Salina Area Vocational School as a certified diesel mechanic in May of 1982. He then worked civil service for the Army Reserves. He served a total of 22 ½ years in the military, retiring as a Sergeant First Class in April of 1997.

During Charlie’s time in the Army Reserves, he started the beginnings of a welding and repair shop in Baileyville by doing freelance mechanic work and purchasing a property. He officially opened Koch Welding & Repair as a full-time business in the fall of 1993. ‘The Shop’ as it is known in the family, grew to become a beloved family business and a centerpiece of Charlie’s life’s work. Charlie was very creative with his work and enjoyed the challenges of fixing complex breakages and modifying equipment and tools to expand the capabilities of the Shop. There was nothing too far broken for Charlie to fix.

Aside from working, Charlie loved hanging out with his family. There was nothing that brought him more joy than his big family. He especially loved holidays or Sundays when he would have the house full of his children and his grandkids running around. He was known to start calling his children, siblings, nieces or nephews just to chat or ‘check in’. Even if it was a 30 second phone call, these small chats with his loved ones brought him so much joy.

Throughout his life, Charlie’s other hobbies included riding motorcycles, horseback riding, traveling, and farming. Charlie was very involved in the Baileyville community and served a number of years with the Baileyville Improvement District, spending most of those years as the chairman. Charlie was also a very faithful man and was involved with various roles at Sacred Heart Parish and in his faith community. He lectored at mass and taught religion classes. He was also a member of the Baileyville Knights of Columbus, and was a Fourth Degree Knight with the Ponce De Leon Assembly.

Charles is preceded in death by his father, Sylvester, his mother, Dorothy, his brothers, Nicholas, Peter, and Thomas “Bones”, his sister Rosalie “Rosie” Haverkamp, as well as his grandparents and many aunts and uncles.

Charles is survived by his wife of 42 years, Annette, their 7 children, Sylvester (Jessica) Koch of Baileyville, Joshua Koch of Centralia, Patrick Koch of Baileyville, Shawn (Ana) Koch of Whiteman AFB in Missouri, Nicole (Colin) Duncan of Gardner, Ethan (Amanda) Koch of Topeka, and Theresa (Dylan) Schraad of Baileyville, and 22 grandchildren.

A rosary will be prayed at 2:30 P.M. Sunday, October 13, 2024 at the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville. Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:30 AM Monday, October 14, 2024 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Baileyville.

Memorials can be given in Charlie’s memory are to be Sacred Heart Building Fund, and sent in care of the family.

To express your sympathy and for more information visit www.lauerfuneralhome.com .