Late on the afternoon of Tuesday, July 15th, 2015, while surrounded by those he loved, Kenneth Koch of New Tripoli peacefully and quietly slipped life's earthly bonds, leaving those of us that remain, richer for having been a part of our lives. His death occurred at Genesis Health Care's Lehigh Center, Macungie, where he had been receiving care after a fall. He was 88. Kenneth Kermit Koch was born in Lehighton, Pennsylvania on June 19, 1927, the eighth, of nine children, born to the late Reuben J. Koch, Sr., and Florence M. (Kistler) Koch, and until his death was the last surviving member of this large family. He attended the public schools of Lehighton which, during World War II, he left in order to join the armed forces. A passion for all things mechanical, which had started in his youth with automobiles, eventually led him to join the United States Army Air Corps; gaining entry in the waning days of the war. After training he was sent cross country to California where he shipped out to the then-recently-liberated island of Okinawa. While there he served out his enlistment working in the motor pool and as a mechanic on planes, along with guarding prisoners. His experiences on Okinawa provided fodder for a lifetime's worth of stories with which he regaled us.

When he returned to the states he met the love of his life, Alma C. Fister of New Tripoli. They were married by the Rev. Thomas Bachman on June 18, 1949 in Slatington, Pennsylvania, attended by his sister Florence Koch Fister and Alma's brother George Fister, to whom Florence was married. Ken and Alma had just recently celebrated their 66th Wedding Anniversary this past June. Four children were to come of this union. His working life began at Raycraft Textiles in Lehighton where both he and Alma were employed. He was then hired by the Trojan Powder Company, manufacturers of dynamite and chemicals, located in Seiple's Station, South Whitehall Township, Lehigh County. He survived a major explosion while working there and by the time that he retired thirty six years later, he had risen to the position of Sub-Foreman with what had then come to be known as IMC Chemicals. Kenny was a loving husband to his wife Alma and a caring father to his four children. He was a member of New Life Lutheran Church, New Tripoli, where he was actively involved. For years he volunteered his time with the social arm of the New Tripoli Volunteer Fire Company. He was a member of Allen O. Delke Post 16 of The American Legion, Slatington, Pa. He served for many years as a Commissioner on the Lynn Township Sewer Authority.In his spare time he enjoyed making things with his hands in his home workshop. He was an avid auction-goer and for a great many years was a Saturday night regular at Walter's Auction Gallery in Macungie. He enjoyed his trips to California and exploring San Francisco. He also enjoyed the time he had been able to spend in Beach Haven, New Jersey on Long Beach Island. He enjoyed garage sales, his grandchildren, a good football game, watching the Gaithers on television, and having a good laugh. And he never met a hot dog, a French fry, or a bag of candy he didn't want to eat; even when he wasn't supposed to.

Survivors : In addition to his wife, he is survived by his children, Bonnie L, wife of Richard Bleiler, of Lynnville, Pa, Kenneth E., and wife Shirley, of Laurinburg, NC, Glenn D., and his husband Ray Tombaugh of Concord, Ca, and Valerie A. wife of the late Victor Frye, of Macungie, Pa. He is also survived by grandchildren, Seth Bleiler of Berkeley, Ca, Christian Bleiler, and wife Natasha, and Liz, wife of Zachary Paris, all of Lynnville, Pa., Joshua Koch of Richmond, Ky., Allison, wife of Brand Gamblin, of Odenton, Md., and Paxton Werley of Macungie, Pa., and by great grandchildren Arwen Duncan, Michael, Tristan, Gretchen, and Ethan Koch, Lila Paris, and Claire Bleiler. Sisters-in-law Eleanor Snyder of New Tripoli, Pa. and Betty Fister of Topton, Pa. also survive, along with many nieces and nephews, and by his lifelong friend since childhood, Elwood Blocker of Lehighton, Pa. He was predeceased by his parents and siblings Robert, Paul, Edna, Ruth Heffelfinger, Reuben, Jr, Florence Fister, Melba Nothstein, and Lloyd.

Memorial Service: 11 A.M. Friday, July 31 at New Life Evangelical Lutheran Church, 6804 Weiss Rd., New Tripoli with the Rev. Scott W. Lingenfelter officiating. No visitation. Private Interment. Arrangements by Keller Funeral Homes, Inc., New Tripoli. Online condolences may be offered to the family at www.KellerFuneralHomes.com.

In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to the Church, PO Box 34, New Tripoli, 18066.