Richard J. Koke

Richard J. Koke of Cuba, Missouri was born Tuesday, April 28, 1931 at St. Louis, Missouri to the union of Walter and Amelia Koke and left from this life, surrounded by family, on Thursday, August 25, 2016, at his son's home in Florissant, Missouri at the age of 85 years. Rich entered the United States Air Force in January 1952 and retired February 1972 after twenty years one month and twenty eight days of dedicated service. Rich had earned the rank of Staff Sergeant. Rich was united in marriage to Mary M. Piatchek on July 17, 1954 at the Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church of St. Louis and to this union two sons were born Michael W. and Robert R. Koke. After retiring, from the United States Air Force, Rich went to work for SafeCo Insurance Company in St. Louis and retired again in 1992 after twenty years of working in the supply department. In 1992 Rich and Mary moved from Sunset Hills to Indian Hills Lake and they then began attending Holy Cross Catholic Church. Rich was a life time member of the Knights of Columbus, he served as Past Grand Knight of Council #8920 and helped with the building project of the Knights of Columbus building in Cuba. Rich could always be found at the Knights hall helping out, his home away from home. Rich and Mary spent many hours sitting at the kitchen table putting together jigsaw puzzles and painting pictures by number. On Sunday Rich would be glued to the TV watching football especially the San Francisco 49ers and in his younger years he enjoyed bowling. Rich was a loving son, brother, husband, father, father-in-law, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle, great uncle, fellow knight and friend of many. He will be truly missed by all who knew and loved him. Rich is preceded in death by his parents Walter and Amelia Koke, wife Mary Koke, infant son Robert Roy Koke, one brother Al Koke, three sisters Marcella, Dorothy and Rita, sister-in-law Ann Piatchek and other family and friends. Those who are left to treasure his memory and to continue his legacy are his loving son Mike and wife Pat Koke of Florissant, two grandchildren Philip Koke and Amie Koke, three step grandchildren Jim Toomey, Mindy Toomey and Tammy Toomey, two great grandchildren Nick Mitalovich and Jordan Gray, niece, nephews, great nieces, great nephews and a host of other relatives and friends. Visitation will be held Monday, August 29, 2016 from 5:00 till 8:00 pm at the Mizell Funeral Home, 904 W Washington Street, Cuba, Missouri. Celebration of Mass will be held at 10:00 am Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 415 W School Street, Cuba with Father Rich Boever as celebrant. Interment, prayers and full military honors will be held at 2:30 pm Tuesday, August 30, 2016 at Jefferson Barrack National Cemetery, 2900 Sheridan Road, St. Louis, Missouri. Memorial contributions may be made to the Knights of Columbus Council #8920 in Rich's memory. The Mizell Funeral Home of Cuba is honored to be serving Rich's family.

Visitation Details

Monday, August 29th, 2016 5:00pm - 8:00pm, Mizell Funeral Home

Service Information

Tuesday, August 30th, 2016 10:00am, Holy Cross Catholic Church

Interment Details

Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery