Charles Anthony "Chuck" Koester

Charles Anthony Koester August 17, 1926 - September 2, 2011 FLAG Charles "Chuck" Anthony Koester, 85, passed away peacefully at his Wheaton, Illinois home in the early morning hours of September 2, 2011 with his loving wife Liz at his side. The loss will be felt deeply by his family and friends. Born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Chuck was the oldest child of Charles and Margaret Koester. Growing up during the Great Depression, he learned very early in life the importance of hard work and the value of family. He served in the Navy during World War II on the U.S.S. Santee in the Pacific Theater. His career was spent working for Allied Stores, starting as an accountant and rising quickly to the position of Vice President and Controller. After retiring from Allied at age 62, he and Liz spent many happy years together at their homes in Idaho and Arizona. During his retirement, he volunteered for SCORE, the Red Cross, Compassionate Friends, and the Catholic Church as a Eucharistic Minister to local hospitals. The father of nine children and stepfather of five, he always said that one of his greatest joys in life was seeing the close bonds his children shared with one another. He loved to golf, play the piano and sing, and spending time with friends and family. Left to remember him are his wife, Liz, son, John (Barbara), son, Charlie (Della), daughter, Mary Carol, son, Greg (Todd), daughter, Jeannie, (Gene), son, Harry, daughter, Margo (Bob), son, Dan (Heidi), daughter, Kate, stepson, David (Nung),stepdaughter, Debra (Roy), stepdaughter, Denise (George), stepdaughter, Diane (David) sister, Marge Harrison, and 18 beloved grandchildren, along with many nieces, nephews and dear friends. He was preceded in death by his sister, Sr. Mary Carol and his stepson, Darren DeWitt. Family and friends will be welcomed at Hultgren Funeral Home, 304 N. Main St., Wheaton, IL for a time if visitation on Tuesday, September 6, 2011 from 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Prayers will be said at the funeral home at 10:30 a.m. A funeral Mass will follow at 11:00 a.m. at St. Michael Catholic Church, 310 S. Wheaton Ave., in Wheaton. Interment is private. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, 1500 Rosecrans Avenue, Suite 200, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266. Family and friends may sign a guest book at hultgrenfh.com. For more information, please call Hultgren Funeral Home at 630-668-0027. Next edition