Verna M. Koch

Verna M. Koch, nee Wagner, 98, of Belleville, IL formerly of Mascoutah, IL, born Apr. 30, 1918 in Darmstadt, IL died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2016, at St. Paul’s Home in Belleville, IL.

Verna and Alvin were married on Jan. 23, 1938 in Darmstadt, IL. Verna enjoyed working with her loving husband, Alvin, for 67 years. They worked in the fields together, marked many quilts together, loved to dance, play cards, and visit with family and friends. Verna’s love for sewing was reflected in the beautiful quilts and clothing she made for her family. She was never too busy to help others. The family would always hear her say “what can I do to help or what can I bring”.

As the family gathered with her on Christmas Day, we knew that her Christmas wish would be to join dad in heaven. We are thankful to have spent one more Christmas with her and to have wonderful memories of the gathering.

Verna and Alvin spent the first 54 years of their marriage in Darmstadt and moved to Mascoutah after retiring from farming. Verna was a faithful member of St. John United Church of Christ in Mascoutah. She was a member of the Happy Quilters and Everfaithful Fellowship of Women. Verna’s beautiful quilts were featured in the Bed Turning of the annual quilt show at St. John’s in 2010. She loved to mark quilts for the community and she loved to quilt.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 67 years, Alvin J. Koch; parents, Michael and Julia, nee Reuss, Wagner; four sisters, Helen, Estella, Mildred, and Julietta and three brothers, Harold, Harvey, and Delbert.

Surviving are her daughters, Janice (Hugo) Lohman of Venedy, IL, Sharon (Steve) Banjavcic of Belleville, IL; four grandchildren, Brian (Jacqueline) Lohman of Venedy, IL, Larry (Tina) Lohman of New Baden, IL, Scott (Shannon) Banjavcic of Chicago, IL, and Stacie (Timothy) Pickens of O’Fallon, IL; two great-grandchildren, Drew (Amy) Lohman of Venedy, IL, Kathryn Lohman of Venedy, IL; one great-great-granddaughter, Aubrey Lohman of Venedy, IL; one brother, Melvin (Dorothy) Wagner of Marissa, IL; also nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Memorials may be made to St. John United Church of Christ, Mascoutah, IL, or Holy Ghost Cemetery, Darmstadt, IL. Condolences can be sent to the family at mollfuneralhome.com.

Visitation: visitation will be from 3 to 7 PM Monday, Jan. 2, 2017 at Moll Funeral Home in Mascoutah, and from 9 to 10:30 AM Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 at St. John United Church of Christ, in Mascoutah.

Funeral: the funeral service will be held at 10:30 AM, Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017 at St. John United Church of Christ with Rev. Hugh Fitz and Dr. Rev. Donald Wagner officiating. Graveside services will be held at Darmstadt Memorial Cemetery, in Darmstadt, Illinois at 1:30 pm. following a luncheon in the church fellowship area at St. John United Church of Christ, in Mascoutah.