Sarah Eleanor Ferrell Koch, age 82, of 107 N. Philadelphia Street, Freeport went home to her heavenly log cabin at 5:05 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 9, in her home.
Born Jan. 15, 1934 in Freeport, Ohio, she was a daughter of the late Robert Karl Ferrell and Helen Rose McMath Ferrell.
During her high school days she worked at the Port Theater in Freeport selling tickets and popcorn for a dollar a night and she babysat for the Pettay, White, and Brokaw families. Sarah graduated from Freeport High School in 1952. Following graduation she worked as a secretary for General Tire Company in Akron. She was then employed by Tinker Funeral Home in Kent while attending Kent State University. While employed by Tinker’s she met and fell in love with one of their employees, David H. Koch, Jr. They were married March 25, 1955.
She received a teaching degree in 1955 from Kent State University and was employed by Warren City School System for ten years. In April of 1967, she and Dave purchased the former McCoy Funeral Home in Freeport. She served her apprenticeship under Dave and became a licensed funeral director. She was also employed by the former Harrison Hills Board of Education, substituting at Lakeland, Freeport, and Tippecanoe Schools. Dave died Oct. 13, 1980 and Sarah retired and sold the funeral home in 1983.
Sarah was a member of the Freeport United Methodist Church, its choir and women’s group, and was a Lakeside Delegate for several years. She was also a member of the Deersville Little Theater, Freeport Clark Branch Friends of the Library, a former member of the Ohio Funeral Directors and Tri-County Funeral Directors Associations, and enjoyed her monthly card club activities. She loved spending time with her family and traveling.
Sarah was a talented artist. She painted numerous pictures and murals and made creative greeting cards. She entered numerous art shows and won quite a few awards. She held several art shows featuring her own work. She also enjoyed giving her artwork as gifts to her family and friends.
Surviving are five sons: John (Donna Kay) Koch of Freeport, David Carl Koch of Freeport, Robert (Donna Jean) Koch of Freeport, Richard (Joni) Koch of Beach City, and Asher “Pete” (Sheila) Koch of Jewett; fourteen grandchildren: Aaron Koch of Freeport, Jacob (Amanda) Koch of Cambridge, Brandon (Holly) Koch of Dover, Bethany (Travis) Doane of Freeport, Angela (Todd) Smith of Uhrichsville, Ryan Koch of Columbus, Marcia Koch of New Philadelphia, Mitchell (Shannone) Koch of Gnadenhutten, Laura Koch of Columbus, Alanna Koch (Kyle Nannah) of Minerva, Ashley Koch of Scio, Erica Koch of Jewett, Scott (Jessica) Midcap of Beach City and Sammi Jo Midcap-Koch of Beach City; eighteen great-grandchildren: Seth, Audra, Alexis, Lance, Cooper, Piper, Harper, Justus, Isabella, Landon, Kensington, Bryden, Lauren, Nathan, Bronson, Jermaine, Stanley, and Rozlyn; a brother John Ferrell of Freeport, and a sister Rose Ann Bardall of Freeport plus numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a sister Nancy Jane Ferrell in 1944, a grandson Trinity Koch in 1980, and her companion of ten years, Robert L. McGuire in 1991.
Visitation will be held from 2 to 4 and 6 to 9 p.m. Friday, Feb. 12 in the Freeport Presbyterian Church. Services will be at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 13 in the Freeport Presbyterian Church with Pastor Sandra Cappel and Pastor Dave Koch officiating. Burial will follow in Greenmont Union Cemetery, Freeport.
Memorial contributions may be made in her memory to the Clark Memorial Branch Library, 102 West Main Street, Freeport, Ohio.
Online condolences may be made to the family on the funeral home’s website.
www.kochfuneralhome.net