Velma Koch

Velma Mae Koch, age 86, of Griggsville, Illinois and formerly of Versailles and Meredosia, Illinois passed away at 9:25 a.m. Thursday, June 23, 2022 at Griggsville Estates in Griggsville, Illinois, where she had lived for almost a year.

She was born February 13, 1936 in Meredosia, the daughter of Archie and Muriel Butcher Battefeld.  She married Clyde “Sonny” Koch on November 8, 1957 at the Methodist Church in Meredosia and he preceded her in death on February 24, 2009.  They enjoyed celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house hosted by their kids.  

Velma was a homemaker and she also loved working at Capital Records in Jacksonville for over 30 years .  After her retirement, she and Sonny enjoyed traveling and meeting new friends in their camper.  Velma was also known as a great cook and was famous for her homemade noodles.  She also loved going to Billy and Darlene’s for supper and was known to enjoy watermelon, popcorn and in season tomatoes.   She loved to hand sew, embroidery, quilting, attending family gatherings and was nicknamed Aunt Diner Dine by her special nephew, Ronnald Loveless.  After her husband passed away she enjoyed traveling to the Ozarks and Branson with Tammy, Ed and Brent.   She also attended the Griggsville Nazarene Church the last few years.  Velma truly loved her family and worried about them constantly, she will be missed by all who knew her. 

Survivors include two children Tammy Mae Phillips (Ed) of Griggsville and Clyde “Billy” Koch, Jr.  (Darlene) of Versailles.  Two grandsons Brandon Phillips of Chicago and Brent Phillips of Griggsville.  One great granddaughter, her little sweety and love of her life, Elliott Lana Phillips and several nieces and nephews.  

She was preceded in death by her parents, sisters and brothers Doris Pond, Phyl Loveless, Russell Battefeld, Illeane Martin, Marion Putnam, Harold Battefeld, Archie Battefeld, Jose Duflemier, Joe Battefeld and Franklin Deleano Battefeld in infancy. 

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 p.m. Monday, June 27, 2022 in the Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling with Gary Clevenger officiating. 

Burial will follow in the Hersman Cemetery.

Visitation will be one hour prior to services on Monday at the funeral home.

Memorials are suggested to the Griggsville Estates Activity Fund.  

Condolences for the family may be left on line at hendrickerfuneralhome.com. 

The Hendricker Funeral Home in Mt. Sterling is assisting the family with the arrangements. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Velma Koch, please visit our floral store.