RUSSELL — Arthur Rudolph Koch, 84, of Russell, died on Aug. 14, 2012 at the Hays Medical Center.
Born on Feb. 3, 1928 near Ault, Colo., he was the son of Philip and Caroline (Miller) Koch of Galatia.  
On June 11, 1950 he was united in marriage to Doris Karst, in Milberger. She preceded Arthur in death on June 2, 1990. A resident of Russell for 20 years, he worked in the oil fields before becoming an appliance technician for Deines Brothers Furniture. In 1975, he moved to Arvada, Colo., and worked for General Electric as an appliance service technician until his retirement. He lived for a short time in Sun City, Ariz. before returning to Russell.   
Mr. Koch was a veteran of the Korean War and served in the United States Marine Corps Infantry Division and later in the Marine Corps Reserves.  He was a member of the St. John Lutheran Church in Russell and a lifelong member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 6240 and the American Legion Post #99, both in Russell.
Survivors include a son, Kurtis Koch, Great Bend, and wife Debra; two sisters, Irene Ernst, Lebanon, Penn.; and Julia Koch Fraser, Fullerton, Calif.; two grandsons; and his companion, Mary Huffman.
A celebration of Arthur’s life will be held at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at St. John Lutheran Church in Russell with Pastor Roger Dennis officiating.  Burial will follow at the St. John Lutheran Cemetery in Russell with military rites performed by the V.F.W. Post No. 6240.  Visitation will be from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Friday, with the family present to greet guests from 6 to 8 p.m., at the mortuary.  
Memorials may be given to the Wheatland Nursing Center in Russell and sent in care of the mortuary.  

Funeral arrangements provided by
Pohlman-Varner-Peeler Mortuary
610 N. Maple
Russell, KS, 67665
Great Bend (Kan.) Tribune, Aug. 16, 2012