Title: John B.F. Gocha Died in Flint on Sept. 17 Publication: Otsego County Herald Times, Date: 28 Sep 1939 Sec A Pg 1 Col D (Microform #16) Submitted by David Koscielniak JOHN B.F. GOCHA DIED IN FLINT ON SEPT. 17 Was One of the Gaylords Pioneers. Had lived in Flint past 25 Years. Funeral Services were held in Flint September 19 for John B. F. Gocha, pioneer of Otsego county, who passed away at his home there September 17, after an illness of several weeks. Mr. Gocha was well known in Gaylord, having come here when Main Street was little more than a trail through the woods and only a handful of building marked this community. Born in Detroit May 22, 1861 to Charles and Marguerite Gocha, he married Elizabeth Collins in Bad Axe in December of 1880, and moved to Gaylord the following year, after the Huron county fire. Here he engaged in the well drilling business. He was well known in the community and was active in the Modern Woodsmen of America. In 1914 he moved to Flint where he remained until his death at the age of 78. Besides the widow he is survived by two daughters, six sons, 32 grandchildren, 28 great-grandchildren, one daughter having preceded him in death. The sons are John W. and H. Ben of Gaylord; George, Charles, Robert, and Frank of Flint. The daughters, Mrs Robert Spettler of Flint and Mrs. Josie Stovel of Detroit. Services were conducted by Rev. Fr. Luke Powers as St. Mathews Catholic Church with internment in New Calvary cemetery. All children were present at the funeral as were Mrs. Frank Collins and three daughters, Gertrude, Helen and Laura.