Martin E. Koger

Martin E. Koger, 79, of Parsons, passed away at 2:44 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2015 at Freeman West Hospital in Joplin. He was born January 3, 1936 in Parsons, Kansas to Willard "Rufus" and Effie "Mildred" (Wilkerson) Koger. He grew up in Parsons where he attended school. After school, he worked at Wilson Dairy as a delivery person. In 1958, he began working at Citi Service Station as a mechanic. While working there, he met his love, Roberta B. Bernal, who also worked there and would eventually become his wife on January 22, 1959. The couple was married in Chetopa, Kansas. In 1959, he worked as a truck driver for a local company delivering mobile homes to various states. In 1966, he started working at the Kansas Army Ammunition Plant until he underwent his first open heart surgery, which eventually led to his disablement. He was still active doing hobbies, mechanical work, and tinkering on old cars. In 1999, he underwent his second open heart surgery. He was a member of St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. He was an avid Dale Earnhart, Sr. fan and enjoyed NASCAR, old cars, and hunting in his earlier years. Martin never met a stranger and enjoyed walking around his neighborhood in Orchard Park. He especially enjoyed spending time with his family and friends. Survivors include: Wife – Roberta Koger of the home Five Sons – Martin "Bud" Koger Parsons, KS Steve Koger Parsons, KS Joe Koger and wife, Shelley Parsons, KS Bernie "B.J." Koger Parsons, KS Robert "Pete" Koger Derby, KS Two Daughters – Elizabeth Heady and husband, Bob Parsons, KS Dana Volz and her fiancé Glenn Nesbitt Oswego, KS Eighteen Grandchildren Fifteen Great-Grandchildren One Brother – James Koger Parsons, KS Two Sisters – Mildred Ann Essig Parsons, KS Rita Babb Parsons, KS He was preceded in death by his parents. The rosary will be prayed at 9:30 a.m., Thursday, June 11, 2015 at St. Patrick's Catholic Church in Parsons. The funeral Mass will be at 10:00 a.m., Thursday, at the church, immediately following the rosary. Burial will be at Mt. Olivet Cemetery. The family will receive friends from 7-8:00 p.m., Wednesday, at the Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home in Parsons. Memorials are suggested to PALS (Proud Animal Lovers Shelter). These may be left at or mailed to Forbes-Hoffman Funeral Home, P.O. Box 374, Parsons, KS 67357. To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Martin E. Koger, please visit our flower store.