David A. Koch

David A. Koch, 72, of Earlham passed away September 17, 2025, at home with his family, following a hard-fought battle with cancer.

Dave was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, March 20, 1953 to Frederick and Clara (Henik) Koch. He grew up on a farm near Mt. Vernon, Iowa, and graduated from Mt. Vernon High School in 1971. He enrolled in Kirkwood Community College in Cedar Rapids the next fall to obtain his associate degree, then transferred to Iowa State University where he graduated in 1975 with a degree in Agricultural Business. 

Dave began his banking career at the Brenton Bank branch in Dexter, Iowa, that spring. After a year, he transferred to the Adel main office where he worked as a loan officer for 26 more years. He then took a job at Union State Bank in Winterset, Iowa, as vice president and trust officer for 17 years before retirement. He was respected and trusted for his integrity and competence and liked for his quick sense of humor. 

When he was a young man, Dave was called by God to faith in Jesus Christ which became the strong foundation for the rest of his life. The cancer journey was difficult, but his faith did not waver.

Dave was married to Jean McCleary on October 1, 1977. Together they welcomed and raised five children: Joel, Josh, Katie, Melody and Evan, and now have nine grandchildren. Dave was a kind, steady and involved husband, father and grandpa. He loved making his offspring laugh with his goofy sense of humor and dad jokes. As his kids grew up and started their own families, one of the things he loved best was the family’s annual summer vacation together. 

Dave was a 4-H leader, longtime Rotary club member, board member of Madison County Extension Council and commissioner on the Madison County Zoning Board. He served as an elder at Crossroad Church for many years. 

Dave always enjoyed helping out on the farm as needed, particularly at harvest time while hauling wagons of grain and listening to ISU football games. He was a Master Gardener and in summer he could often be found out tending his garden beds. He especially loved working on his pride and joy, a lime green 1970 Dodge Challenger, and taking it to car shows. 

Dave was preceded in death by his parents and stepmother. He is survived by his wife, Jean, and children: Joel (Jill) Koch of Dexter, Iowa; Josh (Julie) Koch of Hull, Iowa; Katie (Brandon) Queen of Louisville, Kentucky; Melody Koch of Waukee, Iowa; Evan Koch of Earlham, Iowa. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Tristin, Taitlin, and Treydin Koch; Landon, Audrey and Wyatt Koch; Ellie, Asher and yet-unborn grandson Queen.

A visitation will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m., on Monday, September 22, 2025, at Crossroad Church in Earlham. Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Tuesday, September 23 at the church. 

Memorials may be directed to Crossroad Church missions and the American Cancer Society.