Phillip Virgil Koch, 85, of Hershey, NE, died Friday, November 9, 2012, at his home northwest of Hershey where he lived for 85 years.

Phillip was born March 25, 1927, to Clarence A. and Myrtle E. Strolberg Koch at North Platte, NE. He attended O’Fallons Country School and graduated in 1944.

On August 31, 1945, Phillip married the love of his life, Glenda Maxine Louise King, in Kansas. Two children were born to this union, a son, Steve, and a daughter, Vicki. When his father died in 1951 Phillip took over the family farm and in 1953 began feeding cattle. His son, Steven joined the operation in 1967 and they farmed and fed cattle together until Phillip’s health failed. He enjoyed working the land and feeding cattle, his family, but most of all he loved his Lord Jesus Christ.

Phillip served and taught Sunday School for 30 years at Hershey Assembly of God Church, First Assembly of God Church in North Platte and the North Platte Nazarene Church. He served on the Hershey School Board for 10 years after Hershey and O’Fallons consolidated.

Surviving him is his wife, Glenda, of 67 years; his son, Steven (Deb) Koch, of Hershey and their children, Steven II ‘Chip’ (Amy) Koch, of Solomons, MD and their children, Cassady and Camden; Zachary (Angie) Koch, of New Richmond, WI and their son, Lincoln; Whitney Koch, of Hershey; Micah Koch, of Hershey and daughter, Brekkan; Phillip’s daughter, Vicki (Jeff) Young, of Hershey and their children, Kristopher (Haven) Smith of Denver, CO and their children, Elijah and Quinn; Kortlan (Alison) Smith, of Hershey and their children, Emma and Jackson; and J. Parker Young, of Hershey; two sisters-in-law, Rodene Abel of Sutherland, NE and Judith (Bill) Maassen of North Platte; plus many cousins and friends.

Cremation was chosen and there will be no public service. In lieu of flowers the family has established a memorial. The memorial book may be signed from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Saturday, Monday and Tuesday at Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore or at odeanchapel.com. Odean Colonial Chapel At C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.