Marie H. Koch, Age 97, of Louisville, passed away Wednesday, Sept. 14, 2016 peacefully at her home. She was born Sept. 23, 1918 in Highland, IL to Arthur and Louise (Ruegger) Koch and moved with her parents to Minerva in 1921. She graduated from Minerva High School in 1936 and furthered her education at Kent State University and Canton Actual Business College.

She worked in the office of American Electric Switch in Minerva as secretary and billing clerk for 4 years. In 1942, during WWII, she was Executive Secretary at Erie Ordinance Depot in Port Clinton. In 1947 she went to Firestone Tire and Rubber Company in Akron as Executive Secretary to the Director of Research. In 1965 at his retirement, she was transferred to the Assistant Purchasing Agent, and remained at this position until 1981 when she retired. In 1998, she moved to Louisville. She has been a member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minerva for 87 years. She belongs to the Professional Secretaries Association and Beta Sigma Phi.

She is preceded in death by her parents; 2 brothers, Roy and Thomas Koch; and a sister, Katherine Yeagley. She is survived by nephews, Donald Koch of Painesville, Michael (Cynthia) Yeagley of Louisville; nieces, Marilyn (Peter) Seymouer of Westford, Mass, Patricia Koch of Hamilton; 5 great nieces and nephews and 9 great-great nieces and nephews.

Aunt Rie, a modest member of the greatest generation, will be lovingly remembered by those who knew her. Her broad perspective and memory stretching nearly 100 years, she provided wise council and guidance to us all (Whether asked for or not).

Funeral services will be Tuesday at 11:00 am in St. Paul's Lutheran Church in Minerva with Rev. Joseph Ertl officiating. Burial will be in East Lawn Cemetery. Calling hours will be Monday 6-8 pm in the Gotschall-Hutchison Funeral Home in Minerva. Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Paul's Lutheran Church c/o 515 E. Line St., Minerva, OH 44657.