Donald F. Koester, 87, of Effingham, died on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Heartland Senior Living in Neoga.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m. on Thursday, June 25, at St. Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Effingham. Burial will be in St. Anthony Cemetery in Effingham.
Mr. Koester was born on October 15, 1938, in Effingham, the son of Harold F. and Mildred (Will) Koester. He married Joan Willenborg on June 6, 1959. They recently celebrated their 67-year wedding anniversary. He graduated from Teutopolis High School in 1956. Mr. Koester and his wife were blessed with five children, Debbie, Greg, Carl, Alan and Dale. He made Effingham his home and resided there his entire adult life.
Mr. Koester was employed in the construction industry personally building their own home shortly after getting married. He then was one of the first people hired by World Color Press in 1970. He worked there for over 30 years in the maintenance department including the last 15 plus years as manager. After retirement, he was not one to simply sit around. He worked at B and L Machine and the Effingham Country Club in addition to assisting all his family with any projects they may have had. He also enjoyed using his time and talents to help maintain the St. Anthony School properties.
Mr. Koester loved to play fast pitch softball and spent many nights during the summer at the ballpark with his wife and children. He loved to play cards and continued to do so until the end. He was also a golfer who loved playing at the Effingham Country Club. In the later years, he truly enjoyed watching his grandchildren play golf, baseball and basketball. He was a constant presence at the course, ball diamond or court and was always ready to give his critique, good or bad. Fishing was a passion that he enjoyed doing with his brothers-in-law.
Mr. Koester’s journey on this earth was one marked with compassion, love for family and an unwavering love of God. Those who knew him, will remember his love for his family and the desire to simply spend time with them. He loved the simple things in life and his early morning coffee chats with friends. It was not unusual to see Mr. Koester and his wife sitting on their front porch waving to people driving by and just enjoying life. Most of all, he was committed to Joan, his wife, whom he loved longer than most can say.
Mr. Koester, a lifelong member of St. Anthony Parish had a wonderful faith-filled life but also suffered immense loss that most people never have to endure. He suffered the loss of his father, Harold Koester in a tragic accident when he was only 19 years old. He lost his only daughter, youngest son and mother to illnesses. In addition to that, he lost two brothers and his only sister due to circumstances outside of anyone’s control. Throughout it all though, he remained positive and understood that God had a plan and he simply needed to accept that which he could not change.
Mr. Koester is survived by his wife, Joan Koester; sons, Greg (Kim) Koester, Carl (Deanna) Koester and Alan (Debbie) Koester; son-in-law, Harry (Lynne) Hutchison of Hillsboro; daughter-in-law, Linda Koester; grandchildren, Hope (Kyle) McBrain, Matthew (Kylie) Koester, Aaron (Alayna) Hutchison, Kathryn (Justin) Roepke, Courtney (Patrick) Johnson, Michael Koester, Tyler (Kelsey) Koester, Trey Koester, Regan Koester and Colin Koester; and ten great-grandchildren. He is also survived by brothers, Jim (Lucy) Koester, Charles (Linda) Koester, Dennis (Irene) Koester; sister-in-law, Katherine Koester, and brother-in-law, Larry Stein; sisters-in-law, Marge Willenborg and Marge Pearcy; and brothers-in-law, Art Willenborg and Larry Willenborg.
Mr. Koester is preceded in death by his parents; daughter, Debra Hutchison; son, Dale Koester; brother, Tom Koester and his wife, Beverly Koester; brother, Eugene Koester; sister, Janet Stein; brothers-in-law, Mel Willenborg and Bill Pearcy; and sisters-in-law, Jeanne Willenborg and Pat Willenborg.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, memorials may be made to St. Anthony Schools. Online condolences and flower arrangements may be shared at www.johnsonandsonsfh.com.
