John R. “Jack” Karch, 73, formerly of Plymouth and residing since 1988, at 20839 Whispering Creek Ct., South Bend, died in Memorial Hospital, following an illness, at 8:47 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, 2000.
Born on April 26, 1927, in Gary, Indiana, Jack was the son of John W. and Grace K. Knapp Karch. He graduated from Gary Horace Mann High School in 1945 and earned a marketing degree from Indiana University/ Bloomington in 1950.
While serving in the United States Navy, he obtained the rating of 1st Class, V6.
Jack was first married to Barbara J. Hough in Hammond, Ind., on September 29, 1956. On March 3, 1984, in South Bend, he and Marsha L. Wallace were married.
He was employed by the Northern Indiana Public Service Company for over 37 years. From 1952 to 1964 as a Supervisor of Building Services, Hammond, Ind. From 1964 to 1967 he was assistant to the Division Manager, Fort Wayne, Ind., becoming Local Manager, Columbia City from 1967 to 1977.
He next worked as District Manager, Elkhart, for five years and in 1983 became District Manager in Plymouth until his retirement on May 1, 1989.
While in Marshall County he served six years on the Board of Directors of the United Way of Marshall County and in 1987 was the Fund Drive Chairman. He served as Vice President of the Marshall County United Way in 1988 and as President in both 1989 and 1991.
A golfer, he played with the NIPSCO League. He loved big band music and played the clarinet in a small dance band. A model train enthusiast, he enjoyed following the Cubs and the Bears and was a fan of I.U. basketball.
Jack was always involved in his son’s lives, coaching teams from “T” Ball through their high school years. He has been acknowledged as making a difference in many kids’ lives through the years as a good role model.
Survived by his wife, Marsha, Jack also leaves his two sons and their families. They are: Garry R. Karch and his wife, Felicia Norwood and their children Jason and Carly Karch all of Blue Bell, Penn., and Bradley R. Karch and his wife, Ann Stewart and their daughters Katie and Kristie Karch of Columbus, Ind.
Jack was preceded in death by his parents.
Friends may visit with the family from 4 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2000, in the Johnson-Danielson Funeral Home, 1100 N. Michigan St., Plymouth, Ind.
Funeral services, conducted by the Rev. Charles Krieg, pastor of the Pretty Lake Trinity United Methodist Church, will be held in the funeral home on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2000 at 1:30 p.m.
Burial will be in New Oakhill Cemetery, Plymouth.
Memorial gifts in Jack’s memory may be made to either of the Hospices of Marshall or St. Joseph’s County.
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