Loren E Hoch

SARASOTA, FL, formerly of Huron, - Pastor Loren Emery Hoch was born to his parents Carl and June Hoch of Prospect, Ohio on April 18,1928 and passed away August 28, 2020 in Bradenton, FL. He attended Pleasant Township School and graduated in 1946. He then worked on his father’s farm until he enrolled at Capital University graduating with a BA in Social Studies in 1956. He then enrolled in the Evangelical Lutheran Theological Seminary and graduated with a Master of Divinity Degree in 1959. On June 9, 1959, he was ordained as a Pastor of the American Lutheran Church.

The first church Pastor Hoch served was St John Lutheran Church of Hopewell Township Celina, Ohio. During his ministry there, he served as Chairperson of the Ohio District Youth Committee for three years and was overseer of the Lutheran Memorial Camp for three years. He served as Chaplain of the Mercer County Home from 1960 – 65. The 100th Anniversary of St John Lutheran Church was observed while he was Pastor.

From 1965 – 1977 Pastor Hoch served as pastor of Epiphany Lutheran Church in Pickerington. During his pastorate at Epiphany he served as Chairperson of the Community Bi-Centennial Committee and as Chairperson of the Pickerington Ministerial Association. He served on the Board of Directors of The Lutheran Welfare Council of Ohio from 1974 – 77. He was a substitute teacher in the Pickerington High School. He dedicated an Education Facility at Epiphany Lutheran and started a preschool in the new facility.

In 1977, Pastor Hoch was called to be the pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Huron and served there until his retirement in 1993. During his tenure there, he dedicated a building renovation of the church, served as Chairperson of the City of Huron Fair Housing Board, Chairperson of the American Field Service Huron Chapter and as an officer in the Fremont Local Pastors Study Group.

After his retirement, he served as an interim pastor at First Lutheran Church, Plymouth, First Lutheran Church, Shelby, St. Paul Lutheran Church, Sandusky, St. John Lutheran Church, Union Corners Sandusky, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Sandusky.

He is survived by his daughter Marcia (Roy) Lawson of Westerville, Ohio, his son Loren (Cheryl) Hoch of Westerville and daughter Mary (Jacque Lagerholm) Hoch of Sarasota, Florida; his sister, Margene (Bill) Vanergriff; a sister in law, Ruth Hoch; grandchildren, Bo and Debbie Drake, Jessica (Tim) Barr, Nicholas Hoch, Lisa (Jeff) Miller; and great grandchildren Boston and Hunter Drake, Paige Miller, Sadie and Caroline Barr, Alexis and Katelyn Miner.

He was preceded in death by the love of his life, Marilyn in 2015, his brother Giles Hoch in 2014, his brother and sister in law Dean (Norine) Hoch in 2012.

After his wife Marilyn passed away, Pastor Hoch moved to Sarasota, Florida where he was able to be close to his daughter Mary, visit the beach and never have to deal with snow again.

Private family services will be held and burial will be in Scott Cemetery, Huron.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fosterfh.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Loren E Hoch, please visit our floral store.