Ted Koester

Teddy Gene Koester, 63, of Chatham, passed away on January 24, 2023 at his home surrounded by loved ones after a seven year battle with ALS. He was born on October 10, 1959 in Moberly, Missouri to James Richard Koester and Alice Nell Kribbs. Ted married Kelly Ann Rourke, the love of his life, on September 21, 2013, and she survives him.

Ted is survived by his children: Ryan (Penny Tehrani) Littrell of New York, NY., David (Sarah) Littrell, Jared (Angie) Koester and Brittany (Phillip) Bisch all of Chatham, Abbey (Michael) Maloney of Denver, CO., and Sean (Merissa Billhartz) Garcia of St. Louis, MO., eight grandchildren: Reagan and Colin Littrell, Jake, Jimmy and Addi Jo Koester, Alice Ann Bisch and Finn and Isla Maloney, ten siblings: Jacqueline Koester, L.B. (Sara) Skinner, Jamie (Chris) Milcik, Jason Koester, Jenny (Greg) Dial, Steve (Karla) Skinner, Lisa (Garry) Martin, and Lori and Steve Tuggle, his stepmother Brenda Koester and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, brother Kenny Skinner, stepfather Larry Skinner, stepbrother Chuck Tuggle, and stepmother Roberta.

To say Teddy left an impression on his family and this community is an understatement. He graduated from Glenwood High School in 1978 receiving varsity letters in baseball, basketball, and football. His peers voted him Most Personable, Most Popular, Most Athletic, Best All-Around, and the 1978 Glenwood Prom King. He was an outstanding athlete and earned a football scholarship to play at Southeast Missouri State University. His passion for sports moved him to open Ted’s Sporting Goods in Springfield at the age of nineteen. He was asked to sponsor and soon recruited to play on a slow-pitch softball team where he met life-long friends. Ted was a true craftsman and spent most of his life as a contractor building many homes in Chatham and the surrounding areas with his company Homes by Ted Koester. He also owned and operated several real estate companies and worked for Illinois National Bank. Teddy was a proud Chatham Jaycee since 1980 and was the leader of the “Engine Room” at the annual Chatham Sweetcorn Festival. If you have ever enjoyed food at the Sweetcorn Festival, there is a good chance it was prepared by Ted.

Ted enjoyed gardening, fishing, golfing and spending time at the family cabin on Sugar Creek Lake in Missouri. He was the former Vice President of Chatham Baseball (CBI) and he led the construction of the baseball concession stand that is now dedicated in his honor at Chatham Community Park. He enjoyed listening to country music, watching old westerns, sports of all kinds, and the Food Network, as well as spending time in the Lodge where he often enjoyed a drink or two with family and friends at 4:30pm. Ted was a hard working man of high integrity and character. He was a man of few words, many deeds, but most of all had an infinite and unyielding love for his family and many friends.

The family will greet friends from 4:00pm until 7:00pm Friday, January 27, 2023 at Bisch Funeral Home West, 2931 Koke Mill Road. A funeral service will be held at 12:00pm on Saturday, January 28, 2023 at Bisch West. The family is deeply grateful to the Team Gleason Foundation for their hope, generosity, and the steadfast support they provided the family with the tools and resources necessary for Teddy to live a meaningful life with ALS. Memorial contributions may be made to the Team Gleason Foundation https://teamgleason.org and condolences may be left at www.bischfuneralhomewest.com.