George Koch

George Koch, 100, of LaPorte, Indiana, passed away at 4:10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 20, 2006 at Countryside Place Nursing & Rehabilitation Center.

A funeral service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, September 22, at Cutler Funeral Home with Rev. Ron Brauer officiating. Visitation will be held on Friday from 1:00 p.m. until the time of the service. Burial will be in Pine Lake Cemetery.

George was born September 13, 1906 in Hanna, Indiana to John M. & Ottillie (Zelm) Koch.

Sisters Elizabeth, Minnie, Anna, Caroline, Alvina & Ida and brothers Fred, Johnie, Herman & William preceded him in death.

He attended Kankakee School and quit in 1920 to farm the folks' farm with his brother Bill and went to St. John's School for 8th grade. At 17 he bought his first car, a Model T. Ford for $25.00 and at 18 bought a Star car for $50.00. He met Ruth Hartford in 1927 when she was in high school and worked at Iselman's Dairy. He got engaged Christmas 1928 and married September 19, 1934.

In 1964 he became a Laborite County Farm Bureau member and was supervisor and chairman of the Soil and Water Conservation Act for 5 years and in 1970 was re-elected Director of Farm Bureau. He received the top corm yield award in 1971 for raising 233.7 bushels per acre and received a trophy from the regional director as district winner for Northwest Indiana. He was always willing to accept new ideas in his desire to succeed and always had visions of a bright future in agriculture. He and Ruth farmed 650 acres that he owned and rented 900 acres. He also did custom plowing and harvesting. He employed several young men to help eradicate weeds during summer vacations and entertained farmers to promote agriculture.

He was featured in the Hoosier Farmer magazine in the Farmer Bureau Co-op with his picture showing his smile of satisfaction. He was a successful farmer until he retired.

Ruth passed away on January 2, 1973 and on March 2, 1974, he married Frances L. Schoff who survives, along with several nieces and nephews.

George was a member of St. John's Lutheran Church, Farm Bureau, Row Crop Farmers and the Soil and Water Association.