Donald Edward Koch

Donald Edward Koch died on June 8th at home in Mt Clemens. He was 88.

Don was born in St. Joseph, Michigan on June 21st, 1933 to Edna B. (nee’) Schlutt and Gottlieb B. Koch. His older brother, William B. Koch, died in 1995.

He attended schools in St. Joseph until graduation in 1951, and worked summer jobs to help pay for his college education.

He met his wife to be, Gloria Mae (nee’) Swedenberg, on a blind date, which proved to be a much more permanent arrangement. They were married in St. Joseph in September of 1954 and had four children. Don and Gloria celebrated their 67th anniversary in September 2021.

Don had many interests and pursued them with passion. He had been a musician since age 7. He played the Clarinet in bands and symphony orchestras in the United States and overseas, with the 5th Division Band while in the Army in Augsburg Germany, and later in the Mt Clemens Symphony Orchestra. He was drafted in October 1954 and served on Active Duty through August 1956.

Don earned his BS and MS Degrees in Industrial Education from Stout State University (then The Stout Institute) in Menomonie, Wisconsin. He began teaching Industrial Education in 1958 in Big Rapids High School, where he taught for 7 years. In 1965, he accepted a position at Mount Clemens High School and taught mechanical and architectural drafting there until his retirement in 1995. He also taught at Macomb Community College.

He had a construction business on the side, as he loved working with his hands, and designed and built two houses with a crew and remodeled many others.

Don was active with the boys’ scouting endeavors, helping with Cub Scouts and bowling leagues. His children participated in swim meets all over the state. He also coached softball for the girls. He and the family loved traveling and he had been in every state in the Union. He belonged to Civil War groups and participated in reenactments and skirmishes each year, in Michigan and locations across the South. He was a history buff, and his house was full of historical books and autobiographies.

He was active in the church and served in many capacities there. He sang in the adult choir, the men’s chorus and played clarinet with the bands or alone on Saturday nights. He served as president of the PTL and was on the board of trustees for many years.

Don is survived by Gloria and his children Bryan (Loretta), Lyle (Christine), Renee (Dennis) White and Charmaine (Raymond) Host. He is also survived by his seven grandchildren: Philip, Timothy and William Koch, Christopher (Hannah) White, Naomie (Jeffrey) Smith, Kaitlin (John) Cruz, Shelby Host and eight Great grandchildren.

Cremation has occurred. A memorial service is scheduled on what would have been Don’s 89th birthday, June 21, 2022, at St Peter Lutheran Church, 17051 24 Mile Rd, Macomb, MI 48042 with Visitation at 10 a.m. and the Service at 11am. There will be Military Honors at the end of the Service. Memorials for the Church Organ Fund will be gratefully accepted.

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