Janice Koch

Janice C. Koch, 77, of Rochester, was surrounded by her loving family when she passed away at 7:58 p.m. Saturday, May 11, 2024, at Lutheran Kosciusko Hospital of Warsaw.

On Feb. 21, 1947, Janice Colleen Bryant was born in Rochester to Kenneth Dean and Rowena Grace McIntire Bryant. Growing up, she shared her childhood with a sister, Mary, and a brother, Ronald. Janice graduated with the Akron High School Class of 1966.

On Sept. 10, 1966, Janice married her high school sweetheart, Eugene A. “Gene” Koch. They shared more than 50 years of life’s adventures. From their union came three wonderful children, Janelle, Angela and David. The family tree continued to grow with the added blessings of seven grandchildren and five great-grandchildren, with two more on the way in late summer.

Her memberships included: the Bethlehem Baptist Church, Master Gardeners and Red Hat Society. Grandma Janice adored her grandchildren and each of the arrivals of her great-grands. There was nothing better than spending time with them making memories, especially during family celebrations and the holidays.

Left to cherish Janice’s memory are two daughters, Janelle Shanes, and husband Jim, of Rochester, and Angela Merley, and husband Eric, of Claypool; a son, David Koch, and wife Kristy, of Rochester; seven grandchildren, Tyler Bauters and husband Trent, Jessie Mooneyhan and husband Cody, twins Maycee and Lillie Koch, Kennedie Brooks, Shay Merley and Kayla Merley; great-grandchildren, Natalee Mooneyhan, Aliyah Mooneyhan, Arthur Mooneyhan, Asher Merley and Leo Bauters; sister, Mary Sundine, of Rochester; brother, Ronald Bryant and wife Shawn, of Kokomo; and several nieces and nephews.

Preceding Janice in death were her parents, Rowena and Kenneth Bryant; beloved husband, Gene Koch, on April 13, 2017; father- and mother-in- law, Ted and Frances Koch; brother-in-law, Steven Sundine; and sister-in-law, Nancy Trump.

A celebration of the life of Janice C. Koch will be at 10 a.m. Thursday, May 16, in the Good Family Funeral Home, 1200 W. 18th St., Rochester. Pastor Butch Troke will officiate. Friends may visit with the family from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, May 15, and an hour prior to her service on Thursday. Interment will be in the Rochester IOOF Cemetery.

Memorials may be made to Wheels on Fire, in care of Beaver Dam Community Church, 9798 S. 1000W, Akron, IN 46910. Online expressions of sympathy may be made to her family at goodfamilyfh.com.