James S. Hoch

James Hoch, 91 of Knoxville, passed away August 29, 2020 at Westridge Specialty Care in Knoxville. An open visitation is planned at the Pierschbacher Funeral Home in Melcher-Dallas on Monday, August 31, 2020 from 2:00 until 6:00 p.m. Family will not be present at the visitation. A private graveside service will be held Tuesday at the Bauer Cemetery. There will be no live feed of the service. Memorials are requested to EveryStep Hospice in Knoxville; and may be sent in care of his daughter Rosalie Kennedy 523 E. Cronkhite Knoxville, IA 50138. James Sylvester Hoch was born June 30, 1929 in Lacona to Alban and Leona (Schneider) Hoch. He was the oldest of fourteen children. James attended Bauer schools until the 8th grade. In 1948, he enlisted in the United States Army and was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia. On June 9, 1952 he was united in marriage to Joann McElroy in Milo. The couple was blessed with five children: Rodney, Gerald, John, Rosalie, and Marlin. James drove a concrete truck and poured concrete for highway 34 when it was first constructed. He obtained his pilot's license and enjoyed learning how to fly. James loved being a farmer, he raised hogs most of his life. James was very active in his community and church. He was a member of the Marion County Development Board, the Marion County Zoning Board, the Rural Water Board, the Farm Service Board, and the Pork Producers. He held office as the President of the Sacred Heart Church Board. He was named Master Pork Producer. He also volunteered his time at Helping Hands and the Senior Citizens Center. He enjoyed boating, fishing, flying, working in the yard, hunting deer and wild turkey, and playing cards with family and friends. His most treasured time was spent taking the grandkids on boating and fishing trips to Minnesota and Canada. He also loved flying friends in his own airplane. James is survived his children: Gerald (Penny) Hoch, John (Jacque) Hoch, Rosalie (Dan) Kennedy, Marlin (Amy) Hoch; 9 grandchildren: Scott, Terry, Candra, Philip, Kyle, Jason, Jessica, Jay, and Ben; 17 great grandchildren; 1 great-great grandchild; siblings: Darlene Hoch, Clifford Hoch, Naomi Coppick, Gerald Hoch, Diane King, Elaine Garity, Arnold Hoch, Patricia Slykhuis, Rolland Hoch; along with many nieces and nephews. Preceding James in death were his parents, Alban and Leona Hoch; his wife, Joann Hoch; son, Rodney Hoch; and 3 siblings: Beatrice Lenger, Willard Hoch, Mary Helen Hoch. Cemetery Details Bauer Catholic Cemetery Bauer, IA

Visitation

AUG 31. 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM (CST)

Pierschbacher Funeral Homes - Melcher-Dallas

803 Garfield Street

Melcher-Dallas, IA 50163

[email protected]

https://www.pierschbacherfuneralhome.com