Funeral service for Malvin O’Neal Koch 90 year old Weatherford resident, will be held on Wednesday, July 5, 2023 at 2:00 P.M. in the Lockstone Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Gary Miller officiating. Burial will follow in the Greenwood Cemetery under the direction of Lockstone Funeral Home.
Malvin was born October 13, 1932, in Campbell, Nebraska to Joseph and Rachel Koch and passed away Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Brookdale Senior Living in Weatherford, at the age of 90 years, 8 months and 15 days.
Malvin was the eldest of 5 children. Malvin’s family moved from Nebraska to Weatherford to begin farming when he was about 3 years old. He attended the Missouri country school, graduating from Weatherford High School in 1951, and spent 2 years at OSU in the School of Agriculture. He joined the United States Air Force in 1953.
Malvin was on active duty for 8 years serving in the states and was also stationed in Goose Bay Labrador, Canada, and Greenland as an Artic Survival Instructor and later as a Medic. He later joined the Air Force Reserves, serving a total of 22 ½ years in the military. He was very proud of his service and always happy to share a story about one of his service assignments. While serving at Stead AFB in Reno, Nevada he met and married Dyann Jurey in 1955. They had 2 children, a son and a daughter.
Malvin worked at a variety of careers after his active duty, returning to college and completing both a BS and Master of Education from SWOSU. He enjoyed teaching Industrial Technology at Marlow, and later at Weatherford High School. After his teaching career, he made the choice to work at 3M, and was a shift supervisor for the Photo Color group, working at 3M for 19 years.
He was a lifetime member in the American Legion, serving faithfully for many years as Secretary Treasurer for the Bergner-Eaton Post #91. After retirement, Malvin and Dyann also enjoyed planning and taking long driving trips, visiting family, national parks and attending car shows. He loved fishing, hunting and working with his wood lathe, gardening and of course, working on cars with his brothers. He was an early member of the Weatherford Car Club, supporting many events, when he was not waxing and polishing his El Camino.
Malvin’s faith in God was very important to him, he was saved at a young age and was an active church member for his entire adult life. In his later years, he was a dedicated member of the Christ Community Church of Weatherford.
He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Mervine and wife Genevia, brother Kenneth and wife Goldie, one sister, Loretta (Koch) Bass, and son Dalvin D. Koch.
He is survived by his wife of 68 years, Dyann Koch of Weatherford; daughter, Melinda Sauer and husband Aaron; and one sister, Izetta R. Watson and husband Jim of Newcastle, Indiana, nephews Dean Koch and wife Saska, Rick Koch and wife Sheila, Michael Koch and wife Jaime, nieces Christina (Koch) Felder and husband Mark; Sheila (Watson) Glanzer and husband Selwyn, Amanda (Watson) Wood and husband Greg, and numerous great nephews and nieces.
Malvin was fortunate to enjoy the company of lifelong friends Carol Gaunt, Delbert Amen, Donald Amen. We would like to thank Dee and Danny Davis, Ray and MG Brown, Gary and Linda Miller for their love and care during his long illness. The family would also like to thank the wonderful staff at Brookdale Assisted Living for their dedicated care, and the special care from Dr J. Huser, III, the Weatherford Hospital staff, and Ashley Cummings and the Carter Home Health team. In lieu of flowers, please remember the American Lung Association.