John Anthony Koch

 John Anthony Koch, age 39, of Newcastle, Nebraska died on Saturday, June 11, 2022 amongst family and friends due to an accident while breaking a horse. Mass of Christian Burial is 10:30 AM, on Thursday, June 16, 2022 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Newcastle, NE with Reverend Jim Kramper officiating.  Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery in Newcastle.  Visitation is from 5:00 to 8:00 PM, on Wednesday, June 15 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church with a vigil service at 7:00 PM with Rev. David Liewer officiating.  Visitation will continue one hour prior to the funeral at the church.  Arrangements are under the direction of the Wintz Funeral Home in Hartington, NE. The Vigil Service and Funeral will be livestreamed at www.facebook.com/WintzRay/live.  Overflow crowd will be directed to the Newcastle School Gym both days to view the livestream service. To send an online message to the family, please visit www.wintzfuneralhome.com.  The family would prefer memorials be directed to the Newcastle Fire Department or to the Newcastle's Community Club. Pallbearers will be:  Ray Stanley, Matt Hascke, Zachary Korth, Beau Bensen, DJ Blatchford, and Daryl Johannsen.  Honorary Pallbearers will be his sister, Laura, and brothers:  Steve, Russ, Ken, Matt, Bill, Jim, and David. John Anthony Koch was born September 26, 1982, delivered by his dad in the farm house in which he grew up SW of Newcastle.  He attended Newcastle Public School Kindergarten through Second Grade and attended Wynot Public Schools in Wynot, Nebraska, grades three through his Senior year, graduating from Wynot in May 2001.  After high school graduation he attended Briar Cliff College in Sioux City, Iowa for one year then transferring to Wayne State College graduating in May 2006 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Safety and Industrial Tec.  During college at Wayne, he began working part-time for Phillips Kiln as a Maintenance Tec in South Sioux City, NE and upon graduation was offered full-time employment.  During college he was a Rugby player and enjoyed time with his team mates.  After a few years of employment, Phillips changed ownership, so he began working for SBI out of Waterbury, NE.  To devote more time to his family, he left them and started work as a Maintenance Tec of Special Operations at Siouxland Ethanol, where he worked until his death.  His dream was to become a rancher. He had started his cow herd, had his horses and was very close to fulfilling that dream. John was an avid businessman, inventor, craftsman, horseman, and musician.  He definitely loved the outdoors and was ready for adventure and a good fishing trip.  He purchased old run-down business buildings and made them into unique places that served him well for his two bar/restaurant businesses.  He cherished his faith, always worked hard, was a loving and devoted father and an unselfish kind-hearted friend to many.  He was always ready to lend a helping hand.  A quote from one of his friends:  "John Koch you were a giver of life….you brought joy and life out of everyone around you! You were my greatest friend and we were inseparable all through high school. We have memories that last a lifetime and stories of things we did, things we shouldn’t have done, and everything in between. Words can’t really explain how much you meant to me and how special our times were!"  Another friend also described him well:  "I met John at a Teens Encounter Christ weekend and he was our Silent Leader.  What he said to me then, changed my life forever and made me the man I am today". John was a member of St. Peter's Catholic Church and its choir.  He and his brother Dave sang the Ave Maria for many funerals and weddings, including their dad's.  He enjoyed playing his guitar and having a song-fest with others.  More than anything, he loved his family, especially his two children, Sawyer and Ty.  They meant everything to him.  He was an avid cook, always making sure his children had wholesome meals and snacks. Survivors include a daughter, Sawyer Michelle Koch; a son, Ty Anthony Koch; his mother, Carol Koch of Newcastle; a sister, Laura Murphy of Vermillion, SD, brothers:  Steven of  Coleridge, NE, Russ and Sara of Newcastle, NE, Kenneth of Big Lake, MN, Matthew and fiancée Laura of Cozad, NE, William and Gina of Newcastle, NE, James and Stephanie of Laurel, NE, and David and Elizabeth (Liz) of Persia, IA; Many Nephews, Nieces, great-nephews and nieces, cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Gerald (Jerry) Koch; Maternal grandparents, Elmer and Ruth Cook; and Paternal grandparents, Martin and Marie Koch.