Emmett Koch Obituary

Koch, Emmett G. 95, joined our Lord on April 6, 2013 in the comfort and care of his immediate and extended family at Clare Oaks Nursing Home in Bartlett, Illinois. Emmett was born in Chicago, Illinois to Herman and Isabelle Koch on October 15, 1917. He lived all his life in the Chicago area, attending high school at Austin High in Chicago. After high school, Emmett quickly assumed employment in the family bakery business until his departure into the military. Emmett bravely served his country in World War II from 1942-1945 in the Army's 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels" - 78th Armored Field Artillery Division. Emmett had a remarkable service record traveling through four years of duty, three years of which were overseas in Algeria, Tunisia, Sicily, France, England, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. Emmett was recognized for his outstanding service record in both the D-Day invasion and the Battle of the Bulge where he served under General George Patton. Upon completion of his service, Emmett received 7 Battlestars for which he always remained proud. After the war, Emmett came back to the Chicago area where he met and married his wife, Irene (Kildahl) Koch who preceeded him in death after a marriage of 63 years. During his career, Emmett held a number of managerial positions with both Webcor and Zenith before his retirement. Emmett is survived by two devoted sons, Allen E. Koch and Jeffery H. (Joli) Koch; many loving nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. He is preceded in death by his parents and a sister, Genevieve. Visitation Wednesday, April 10, 2013 from 3:00-9:00 p.m. at Cuneo-Columbian Funeral Home 10300 W. Grand Ave. (one block east of Mannheim Rd.) Franklin Park, IL. Funeral service Thursday, April 11, 2013 at Cuneo-Columbian Funeral Home at 11:00 a.m. Interment Queen of Heaven Cemetery, Hillside, IL In lieu of flowers, donations to National World War II Memorial would be appreciated. 847-455-1200 OR CUNEOCOLUMBIAN.NET