Submitted by: Dan Rich
Dec. 9, 1913 - March 21, 2008
South Bend Tribune 3/25/2008
SOUTH BEND - Beloved husband, father and grandfather, Harry F.
Koehler, 94, went to be with the Lord on Good Friday,
March 21, 2008. Born to Harry H. Koehler and Othelia E. Koehler
at their home on Washington Street, Harry was the eldest of two
boys. He often recalled his wonderful childhood that included
carefree days exploring his Uncle Frank Gaul's farm in
Stevensville, Michigan or growing up in the house his father
built with his German shepherd, Sir Lad. As a student at Central
High School, Harry was the third baseman on the school baseball
team that distinguished itself as winners of the eastern division
of the N.I.H.S.C. and state champions in 1930 and 1931. The first
in his family to attend college, he graduated from the University
of Notre Dame in 1937 with a degree in Arts and Letters. A
veteran of the European theater in World War II, Harry served in
the 796th Anti-Aircraft "B" Battalion of the 10th
armored division. Landing at Utah beach, the unit served in the
Battle of the Bulge and helped restore order in southern Germany
after the war. Back home, Harry helped establish the 796th
newsletter, "Track Tracings" and attended many
reunions, keeping in touch with Army buddies. Upon college
graduation, Harry briefly worked for South Bend Lathe before
joining the O'Brien Corporation as advertising manager.
He had a talent for creative writing and
speaking, and his advertising campaigns ran in national magazines
and on the radio. He also served as president of the Sales and
Advertising Executives Club of St. Joseph Valley. He retired in
1978, after 40 years with the O'Brien Corporation and kept in
touch with people he had met throughout the country. Over the
years, Harry was a staunch fan of Notre Dame football, holding
season tickets and attending almost every game until he was 90
years old and could no longer negotiate the stadium steps. He
served as president of the Notre Dame Club of St. Joseph Valley,
and organized numerous testimonial football banquets. Harry was a
longtime member of the American Legion Post 303, St. Joseph Lodge
45 F. & A. M., and Ancient Accepted Scottish Rite Valley of
South Bend, a colonel in the Honorary Order of Kentucky Colonels,
and served on the board of directors of the Indiana Benevolent
Societies. Immigrants from Germany, Harry's grandparents helped
establish Zion United Church of Christ where Harry was a lifetime
member. He was an active lay leader and in later years, church
historian and archivist. He also served on the board of directors
of Bremen Manor, and was a 1955 delegate to the United Church of
Christ General Synod in Chicago. Recalling his heritage, Harry
contributed to the book "German Settlers of South Bend"
by Gabrielle Robinson, and enjoyed meeting with visitors from his
grandparents' hometown of Arzburg, Germany. He also cherished
ongoing correspondence with relatives in Borgholzhausen, Germany.
Harry loved the simple pleasures of life: loving his family,
taking pride in his education, military service and
accomplishments, and honoring his church and God. He is survived
by his wife of 59 years, Elizabeth A. (Miller) Koehler;
daughter, Elizabeth Hobbs; son-in-law, William Hobbs; and
four grandchildren, Christina, Barton, Benjamin, and Julia. He is
greatly missed.
A memorial service for Harry will be held
later this spring at Zion United Church of Christ. Donations may
be sent to the church in his memory. Palmer Funeral Home-River
Park, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend is assisting the Koehler
Family with funeral arrangements.