Submitted by: Dan Rich
Jan. 9, 1923 - Sept. 8, 2008
South Bend Tribune 9/10/2008
SOUTH BEND - Today we lost our angel on earth to be our angel in
heaven. Our beloved Virginia G. Koch (nee Glon), 85, went
to be with the God she so believed in. There is an emptiness in
our hearts, but her memory will be with us always. Virginia was
one of nine children born to Hattie G. Glon (nee Andrysiak)
and Henry A. Glon. Preceding her in death were her parents,
Hattie and Henry; her brothers, Theodore, Joseph, Frank, Casmier
and Ben; sisters, Irene Szynski, Adeline Siders and
Esther Heintzelman; and a nephew, Dean Heintzelman.
Virginia worked at Bendix for 35 years before retiring. Virginia
married the love of her life, Harold L. Koch, in September 1950.
They had their own business, Lydick Tavern, for several years.
They loved dancing and loved to travel and have been to almost
all the states. Virginia was always busy. She did handwork, knit,
crochet, needlepoint and ceramics. She took various classes,
loved to read, garden and spend time with family. She was a Notre
Dame fan and was able to see Notre Dame beat San Diego State.
Virginia also liked to gamble. She loved to go to the boat, and
if she won it was a great day, and if she lost, oh well, we had
fun anyway. Her loving husband, Harold, survives along with
nieces, Darlene Hite, Kathleen (Joe) Cornelis and
Michaelene "Mickey" Lane; and a nephew, Joseph
(Karen) Heintzelman. Darlene's children, Tim Austin of Texas,
Christine Ann (David) Pilarski of Waunakee, WI, and Neal Patrick
of Mishawaka; Kathleen's children, Melanie (Jim) Praklet
of Edwardsburg, MI, and Jon (Gretchen) Cornelis of Granger, IN;
Joseph's children, Leisa Heintzelman and Amy (Jeffrey) Dee
of South Bend, Joel and Laura (Tony) D'Amico of Chicago,
IL. Christine Ann's children, Adam, Alyssa, Amanda and Alex of
Waunakee. Melanie's children, Justin, Rebekah, Moriah and Abigal
Praklet of Edwardsburg, MI; Jon's children, Kaitlynn, Christian
and Jeremiah Cornelis of Granger, IN; Joseph's children, Leisa
Heintzelman and Amy (Jeffrey) Dee of South Bend, Joel Heintzelman
and Laura (Tony) D'Amico of Chicago, IL; and Amy's son, Tate
Heintzelman of Granger. Virginia was the guardian of her niece,
Michaelene "Mickey" (Gerry) Lane. Mickey's children,
April Suzanne and Eric Andrew (Trish) Lane, came to know Virginia
and Harold as Grandma and Grandpa, and great-grandparents to
April's children, Alexandra Bianca and Madeleine Louisa; and
Eric's children, Jack Christian, Charles Andrew and Jensen
Alexander Lane.
Virginia was always there for us. Always
there to listen, talk, to just hold a hand, or give a hug letting
us know how much she loved us. She had a wicked sense of humor
and almost never stopped moving. She was up before dawn, baked
cookies, her famous "Robert Redford" cake, and her
specialties of barbecued ribs and party potatoes. She had all her
chores done before most people were even awake. Her Christmas
dinners were something we looked forward to all year. Harold
cared lovingly for Virginia during her illness and was a
wonderful caregiver. He loved her dearly and was there for her
tending to all her needs, with love, respect and dignity. We
would like to thank The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care,
for the wonderful care they gave Virginia and our family.
Visitation for Virginia will be held from 4
to 8 PM Thursday, September 11, in the Kaniewski Funeral Home,
3545 N. Bendix Drive, South Bend. A Mass of Christian Burial will
be celebrated at 11 AM Friday in St. John the Baptist Church,
with entombment to follow at St. Joseph Cemetery, South Bend.
Memorial contributions may be made to The Center for Hospice and
Palliative Care, Inc., 111 Sunnybrook Court, South Bend, IN
46637; or to Hello Gorgeous of Hope, 1130 Altgeld St., South
Bend, IN 46614.