Mary Ellen Koch

Mary Ellen Koch, 94, of Sedalia, passed away on Thursday, January 12, 2017, at her home. She was born on January 23, 1922, in Osage Iron Works, Mo. (known as "Iron Town"). She was a daughter of Sarah Ann and William Thomas White. On May 12, 1940, at Our Lady of Good Council Church in Kansas City, Mo., she was united in marriage to Verrel Milton Martin, who preceded her in death on January 15, 1969. On February 23, 1973 at St. Mary's Church in Aspen, Colo., she was united in marriage to Carl Ernst Koch, who preceded her in death on October 24, 2013. Mrs. Koch was raised and educated in Sedalia, graduating from Smith-Cotton High School. She retired from the Division of Employment Security in 1995. She was a member of St. Patricks Church and Daughters of Isabella Circle. She is survived by a son, John Richard Martin (Bev) of Fulton, Mo.; a daughter, Martha Ellen Wininger of Attica, Ind.; two sisters, Patricia Ann Twenter and Josephine Marie Seifner; one brother, Philip Jerome White, all of Sedalia; nine grandchildren; and 18 great-grandchildren. She was also preceded in death by five brothers, Norbert, Joseph, John Thomas, Billy Bob and John White; a grandson, Joseph "Jose" Martin; a great-granddaughter, Mary Josehine Mace; and a son-in-law, James Wininger. Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 a.m. Tuesday, January 17, 2017, at St. Patrick's Catholic Church, Sedalia. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service at the church with a rosary being conducted at the end of the visitation. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery, Sedalia. Pallbearers will be grandchildren: Julia Mace, Maressa Mathura, John Martin, Verril Martin, William Martin and James Wininger. Honorary bearers will be nephews and nieces of Mrs. Koch: Philip Twenter, Tom Seifner, Nancy Seifner, Sally Storey, Jackie Straton and Lisa Tanguay; granddaughters, Cheryl Champagne and Kris Huckleberry. Serving the family, Rea Funeral Chapel, Sedalia.