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Thomas W. Koch

Thomas W. Koch, 81, of Harlan, IN, and having family members in Huntington, IN, died Monday, Jan. 26, 2015, at Citrus Memorial Hospital, in Inverness, FL.

Mr. Koch graduated from Harlan High School in 1952 and served in the United States Army. He worked as an electrician with Local 305 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) for 40 years, retiring in 1994. He taught electrical courses in the Army and to IBEW apprentices.

He was a former trustee for Maysville Sewer and Water and was named honorary Citizen of the Year during the 1998 Harlan Days festival. He was a member of American Legion Post 409, in Leo; the Fraternal Order of Eagles, in Hicksville, OH; and Calvary United Methodist Church, in Bippus. He was a former member of the Harlan Lions Club. He spent winters in Florida during his later years.

He was born in Fort Wayne to Wilbur and Janet Koch. He is survived by his wife of 13 years, Shirley Carroll Koch.

Also surviving are two sons, Steven (Pam) Koch, of Leo, and Scott (Susan) Koch, of Waterloo; a daughter, Marlene (Steve) Smith, of Fort Wayne; three stepsons, Roger (Linda) Carroll, Joe (Tina) Carroll and Todd Carroll, all of Huntington; a brother, Rudy (Kathy) Koch, of New Haven; seven grandchildren; six stepgrandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

Calling is Sunday, Feb. 1, 2015, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. at E. Harper & Son Funeral Home, 740 Ind.-930E, New Haven. A service will be held at the funeral home on Monday, Feb. 2, 2015, at 10 a.m., with calling one hour prior to the service. Rev. Barry Faucett will officiate. Burial, with military honors, will be at Scipio Cemetery, in Harlan.

Memorial gifts may be made to Calvary United Methodist Church or the Harlan Christian Youth Center.

Online condolences may be made at wwww.harperfuneralhome.com.