Thomas Bernard Koch, 63, of Baileyville, died on Saturday, January 14, 2023, at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center of KU in Topeka, as the result of a heart attack he suffered earlier in the week.

Tom was born on February 15, 1959, to Sylvester and Dorothy Mae Mergenmeier Koch. Tom’s father died in 1970, and with his and the help of his siblings, his mother Dot was able to continue the family dairy farm operation. Tom was affectionately called “Bones” by his friends. While he was in high school, he was employed by Mogan Pet Plant in Pawnee City, Nebraska. He attended school in Baileyville and graduated from B&B in 1978.

After he graduated, he went to work for Koehler Implement in Seneca; before working for Bill McMurphy Masonry in Sabetha and then Beattie COOP. He married Marcia Beathler of Axtell on May 8, 1982, at Sacred Heart Church in Baileyville.  The couple later divorced.

In 1985, Tom was hired by John Deere in Marysville, where he was employed until 2017. Tom moved back to Baileyville and opened, Bones Repair, repairing John Deere combines and tractors for the area farmers.

Tom enjoyed working on cars, demolition derbies, racing cars and cruising, collecting cars, participating in poker runs and collecting car memorabilia.  He was a member of Marysville Christian Fellowship in Marysville, Kansas.

He was preceded in death by his father, Sylvester, on March 16, 1970; his mother, Dorothy Mae “Dot” Koch on June 17, 2019; siblings, Peter M. Koch on February 13, 2008, Rosalie “Rosie” Ann Koch Haverkamp on October 19, 2009, and Nicholas F. “Nick” Koch on January 5, 2021; his sister-in-law, Julie A. Koch on May 27, 2022; and a nephew, Jeremiah Haverkamp on May 3, 1987.

Tom leaves behind his children, Crystalyn Koch of Baileyville, Anthony Koch of Greeley, Colorado and Rachell Barron of Pharr, Texas; brothers, Jerry Koch, Charles Koch and Greg Koch all of Baileyville; sisters, Deb Warchuck of Ruth, MI, Annette Wietharn of Overland Park, Mary Wietharn of St. Mary’s, Elizabeth Stallbaumer of Axtell and Stella Reeder of Topeka; six grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at 5 to 7PM on Wednesday evening January18, 2023, at Lauer Funeral Home in Seneca. The funeral services will be held at 10:30 AM on Thursday, January 19, 2023, at Lauer Funeral Home.  Burial will be in the Sacred Heart Church Cemetery.

Memorials will be designated at a later date.