Philip Joseph Koch IV, 81 of Collinsville, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 13, 2026, at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital in O’Fallon, Illinois.

Born on June 29, 1945, in St. Louis, Missouri, to LaVerle and Philip Koch III, Phil was an only child who was raised in Madison county, Illinois. He attended schools in Granite City and Maryville before graduating from Collinsville High School. Following graduation, he proudly served his country in the U.S. Air Force. After his military service, Phil began a 30-year career as a technician with AT&T, where he worked until his retirement.

A rebel at heart, Phil was most at home on the back of his motorcycle, embracing the fearlessness and freedom of the open road. He was one of the last true "MacGyvers" who could build or fix anything with just a few tools and his sharp wit. He was incredibly skilled with his hands; whether mechanical or a new project, he was always able to fix or create something impressive. His creativity shone brightest during the holidays, especially Halloween, when he would transform their home into a magnificent, frightening haunted house—complete with his cherished Pennywise the clown wreath. Whether he was tinkering in the garage or stringing Christmas lights, he had a unique talent for bringing his visions to life. Spunky, stubborn, and unapologetically himself, Phil lived life entirely on his own terms.

He is survived by his children, Philip "PJ" (Heidi) Koch V, Mindy (Darin) Lee, and Kara Koch; his grandchildren, Nathan Lee, Remy Koch, and Noah Lee; an uncle; and his beloved cats, Fergus, Lola, Pearl, Spike, and Barney.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Sunday, July 26, 2026, 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. at the Collinsville Recreation Club, 427 S Mulberry Rd. Collinsville, IL 62234. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests donations in Philip’s name to his favorite feline non-profit, Sterilization Nation (https://sterilizationnation.godaddysites.com).