• In Memory Of

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Thomas Bernard Koch

Baileyville, Kansas

02/15/1959 - 01/14/2023

Thomas Bernard Koch, 63, of Baileyville, died on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center of KU in Topeka, as the result of a heart attack he suffered earlier in the week.

Tom was born on February 15, 1959, to Sylvester and Dorothy Mae Mergenmeier Koch. Tom’s father died in 1970, and with his and the help of his siblings, his mother Dot was able to continue the family dairy farm operation. Tom was affectionately called “Bones” by his friends. While he was in high school, he was employed by Mogan Pet Plant in Pawnee City, Nebraska. He attended school in Baileyville and graduated from B&B in 1978.

After he graduated, he went to work for Koehler Implement in Seneca; before working for Bill McMurphy Masonry in Sabetha and then Beattie COOP. He married Marcia Beathler of Axtell on May 8, 1982, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.  The couple later divorced.

In 1985, Tom was hired by John Deere in Marysville, where he was employed until 2017. Tom moved back to Baileyville and opened, Bones Repair, repairing John Deere combines and tractors for the area farmers.

Tom enjoyed working on cars, demolition derbies, racing cars and cruising, collecting cars, participating in poker runs and collecting car memorabilia.  He was a member of Marysville Christian Fellowship in Marysville, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his father, Sylvester, on March 16, 1970; his mother, Dorothy Mae “Dot” Koch on June 17, 2019; siblings, Peter M. Koch on February 13, 2008, Rosalie “Rosie” Ann Koch Haverkamp on October 19, 2009, and Nicholas F. “Nick” Koch on January 5, 2021; his sister-in-law, Julie A. Koch on May 27, 2022; and a nephew, Jeremiah Haverkamp on May 3, 1987.

Tom leaves behind his children, Crystalyn Koch of Baileyville, Anthony Koch of Greeley, Colorado and Rachell Barron of Pharr, Texas; brothers, Jerry Koch, Charles Koch and Greg Koch all of Baileyville; sisters, Deb Warchuck of Ruth, MI, Annette Wietharn of Overland Park, Mary Wietharn of St. Mary’s, Elizabeth Stallbaumer of Axtell and Stella Reeder of Topeka; six grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at 5 to 7PM on Wednesday evening January18, 2023, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Lauer Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery.

Memorials will be designated at a later date.

A visitation will be held at 5 to 7PM on Wednesday evening January18, 2023, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca.

The funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Lauer Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery.

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7 Comments

  1. Arminda Feldkamp on January 16, 2023 at 8:55 pm

    Krystal so sorry to hear of the loss of your dad. I know you and the kids will dearly miss him. Prayers for all.

  2. Kelvin Koch on January 17, 2023 at 12:43 pm

    Sending prayers of peace for the family . I will miss “ole Bones “

  3. Kevin Kyner on January 17, 2023 at 7:46 pm

    Bones was one of a kind, big hearted, great work ethic, always busy doing something. I really enjoyed working with him and counted him as a good friend. Rest In Peace my friend ✝️✝️

  4. Bill Schmitz on January 18, 2023 at 7:31 pm

    To Tom’s family and friends, I offer my sincerest condolences. Bones made our sophomore and junior years in high school very memorable with jokes, stories, and lots of miles cruising. He helped me once with my Plymouth too. He was a good friend.

  5. Bruce & Judy Larkin on January 19, 2023 at 8:49 am

    Our sympathy to the Koch family. Sorry we couldn’t attend services. Judy had knee replacement surgery in Topeka. He was a great mechanic.

  6. Keith Merit on January 20, 2023 at 12:25 am

    Bones and I were long time friends.I will allways remember his love for convertibles in the mid 70,s there wernt many around this area but oh yes bones had a big baby blue plymouth.In the summer saterday nights,in seneca Kids would form a line by the movie theater to ride in his convertible he made sure every one that wanted to ride in that convertible got to cruise the route! REALLY COOL !

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