Submitted by: Dan Rich

Charles George Koczan Jr.

Feb. 4, 1917 - Jan. 12, 2001

South Bend Tribune 1/16/2001

Charles George Koczan Jr., 83, of Bayonet Point, Fla., died on Friday, Jan. 12, in Pasco Hospice House, New Port Richey, Fla. Born in South Bend, Ind., on Feb. 4, 1917, to the late Charles George and Elizabeth (Biro) Koczan Sr., he was also preceded in death by a daughter, Shirley Mason; and by a infant son, Eugene. He had lived in this area until 1979, when he retired to Florida. Upon the death of his father, Charles Sr. in 1965, Charles and Margaret took over ownership of Koczan's Paint Corner on South Michigan Street in South Bend. At the time of their retirement in 1979, the store had been in operation for 64 years. He was a 20-year member of First United Methodist Church, Hudson, Fla., where he served as head usher until the time of his death, and was president of the Palm Terrace Association of Port Richey from 1998-2000. He was also a 32nd degree Mason in South Bend.

He is survived by his wife, Margaret Louise (Carpenter), who he married on Nov. 22, 1938; a son, Charles George (Audrey) Koczan III of Granger, Ind.; five grandchildren, Susan, Linda, Diane, Alison and Charlie (Charles George IV); and by three great-grandchildren.

Services will be at 11 a.m. on Monday, Jan. 22, in the First United Methodist Church, Hudson, Fla. In keeping with Mr. Koczan's wishes, cremation will take place. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Jan. 26, in the Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1836 Portage Avenue, South Bend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Scholarship Fund of the First United Methodist Church, 13123 U.S. Highway 19, Hudson, FL 34667. The Prevatt Funeral Home, Hudson, Fla., and the Forest G. Hay Funeral Home, South Bend, are handling arrangements.