Obituary of Craig Alan Koch

Funeral Services for Craig Alan Koch of Elsberry, MO will be at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Elsberry United Methodist Church. Rev. Kris Hagemeier, pastor of Elsberry First Christian Church and Rev. Laura Taylor, pastor of Elsberry United Methodist Church, will officiate with burial in Elsberry City Cemetery. Serving as pallbearers will be Kaden Kinsler, John Koch, Chris Koch, Andy Burkemper, Tom Reed, Larry Foster, Gary “PeeWee” Hagemeier and Curtis Loesing. Serving as honorary pallbearers will be Steve Sharpe, Jack Huckstep, Keith Dameron, Kwentin Koch, Kellan Kinsler and KJ Koch-Dowell. Craig, 71, passed away Tuesday, February 13, 2024, surrounded by his family. Born February 14, 1952 in St. Louis, MO, he was the son of Chester Adam and Dorothy Marie Boswell Koch. Craig graduated from Elsberry High School in 1970. Craig was united in marriage to Patricia Hagemeier on October 23, 1971. This union was blessed with four children, Kelly, Dicky, Kandi and Kari. Craig later married Linda Pritchett on February 9, 1996. Craig was the last one drafted into the Army from Lincoln County, Missouri in 1972. He was a residential carpenter for several years with McBride Homes. He later returned to his passion, working on the family farm. If not on a tractor, he could be found on the river surrounded by family and friends. His love of boating included navigating the Mississippi River from St. Paul, Minnesota to Harvey’s Landing near Elsberry, MO on three separate occasions with family and friends. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren, following their travels in pursuit of their love of sports. Craig was a member and Past Commander of American Legion Post #226, a member of the Elsberry United Methodist Church and served on the board of Annada Levee District. He was preceded in death by his father, Chester Adam Koch; his brother, Chester Dean Koch; and his brother-in-law, Mark Talbot. Survivors include his wife of 28 years, Linda Koch of Elsberry; one son, Dicky Koch and his wife, Meredith; three daughters: Kelly Pflasterer and her husband, Greg, Kandi Kinsler and her husband, Matt, and Kari Koch-Dowell and her wife, Brittney, all of Elsberry; eleven grandchildren: Kylie, Kaden, Kaleah and Kellan Kinsler; Kelsey and Mya Pflasterer; Kenzie, Kwentin and Kourtney Koch; Kraig James “KJ” and Kabri Koch-Dowell, all of Elsberry. He also leaves his mother, Dorothy Koch; one sister, Cindy Talbot; two sisters-in-law: Margie Koch and Malaine Hagemeier; one brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Leon and Jennifer Pritchett, all of Elsberry; several nieces, nephews, cousins, other relatives and many friends. Visitation will be held from 4:00 – 8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16, 2024 at Carter-Ricks Funeral Home in Elsberry. Memorials may be made to Elsberry United Methodist Church (or) the J.R. Palmer Family Memorial Library in care of Carter-Ricks Funeral Home, 107 South 5th Street; Elsberry, MO 63343. Online condolences may be made at www.carterricksfuneralhome.com.