Harold E. Koch

     Harold E. Koch, 87, Holyrood, Kan., passed away Saturday, Oct. 1, 2016, in Salina. He was born May 31, 1929, in the telephone office in Bushton, Kan., to Edward and Grace (Flannery) Koch.
     Harold married Betty Kemmerer, Feb. 19, 1950, in Great Bend, Kan. She survives him. Shortly after serving his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, Harold and Betty returned to Kansas to work at his family’s business, The Bushton Telephone Co. Soon after that, they purchased the Holyrood Telephone Co. which they later incorporated into H&B Communications of Holyrood. Harold then served as co-owner and general manager of H&B Communications for nearly 30 years. He was a member of the Holyrood American Legion Post 200 and the Seventh Day Adventist church of Hutchinson. He also formerly served as the mayor of Holyrood for 20 years.
     Harold is survived by his wife Betty; daughter, DelJeane Nash (Don) of Holyrood; son, Rob Koch (Kathy) of Holyrood; grandchildren, Marlena Jahn (Andy), Brandon Koch (Alisha), Allison Koch, Justin Nash (Kelli), and Brent Nash; and great grandchildren, Ethan, Camron, Kinsey, Hailey, Payton, Chloe, Emily, Trenton, and Alexa.  He was preceded in death by his parents; and sisters, Phyllis Loudenback and Lillian Ricker.
     Visitation is from 1-8 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 5, at Parsons Funeral Home, Ellsworth, with family present from 6-8 p.m.
     Funeral service will be at 3 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 6, at the St. Paul’s United Church of Christ, Holyrood, with burial following in the church cemetery.
     Memorial contributions may be made to the Foundation for Peripheral Neuropathy or the Holyrood Park Committee, in care of Parsons Funeral Home, P.O. Box 45, Ellsworth, Kan. 67439.
     Condolences may be sent to parsonfh.com