Will County Gazette

On May 30, 2025, Frederick Couch, 81, of Mesa, AZ, formerly of Elwood and Manhattan, IL, passed away. He was born on September 26, 1943, in Joliet, IL to Dennis and Pearl Couch. Fred, as he was affectionately known, was a dedicated husband to Nancy, father to Steven and Thomas, and grandfather to several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers Dennis and Larry, sisters Janet and Judy, father-in-law Arthur Harris, and daughter-in-law Gayle.

Fred served in the US Army, including a deployment to Vietnam. After his service, he worked at Commonwealth Edison until his retirement in 1995. He was a Volunteer Firefighter/EMT with the Manhattan Fire Department, volunteered at Mid-West Food Bank, and joined the John Whiteside Memorial Squad to provide military honors for fallen veterans.

A Memorial Visitation will be held on June 30, 2025, at Forsythe Gould Funeral Home in Manhattan, IL, from 10:00 a.m. until the time of the Service at 12:00 p.m., with Reverend Heather Henson officiating. A Committal Service for Inurnment at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery will follow, with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Elwood Children's Garden or Faith Connection Church.

Arrangements are entrusted to Forsythe Gould Funeral Home.

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