Wayne Walter Koeller

Wayne Walter Koeller, 80, of Forreston, went to his eternal home on Saturday, June 21, 2014 while at Presence Saint Joseph Center, Freeport, IL after a battle with cancer. Wayne was born on June 23, 1933, to Walter and Carrie (Buisker) Koeller. He married Carol Piefer on January 28, 1956. he attended the Koeller one-room school on Walnut Road, Freeport, and graduated from Freeport High School in 1951. He was a farmer for a few years then drove truck for Glenn Roth, Freeport and Bocker Grain, Polo until retirement. Wayne was a volunteer fireman for Forreston Fire Protection District for 46 years. His pride and joy was when family got together and also attending his grandchildren's activities. For many years he enjoyed camping and spending winters in Texas. Throughout the years he sang in the church choir, at weddings, and at funerals. He is survived by his wife Carol of Forreston; his children, Cynthia (Ronald) Bahr of Forreston, Tamela (Kenneth) Vinnedge of Forreston, Timothy (Brenda) Koeller of Byron, Gary (Jane, fiance) Koeller of Forreston ,Sherri (Tom) Seipts of Pecatonica; 12 grandchildren ; Christina (Jason) Tillery, Joshua (Jennifer) Vinnedge, Ryan (Kelli) Bahr, Kyle (Lindsay) Vinnedge, Cari (Ben) Modlinger, Justin Koeller, Brittany (Dane) Busker, Kelsey Vinnedge, Brian Koeller, Allison Seipts, Erin Seipts, and Brent Koeller; 12 great-grandchildren; Abigayle ,Emalee ,Victoria, Elizabeth, hayden, Hannah, Izzabella, Beckett, Reid, Delaney, Jaxon, and Aubrey; 3 step grandchildren, 4 step great-grandchildren, and 1 step great-great-grandchild; sister Phyllis Vehmeier of Freeport; and brother James (Nancy) Koeller of Lanark. He was preceded in death by his parents, and one brother-in-law James Vehmeier. The family wishes to thank FHN Hospice Care and Presence Saint Joseph Center for their excellent care. Funeral services will be held at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday June 25, 2014 at Faith United Methodist Church 1440 S. Walnut, Freeport, IL. Visitation will be held from 4:00-7:00 P.M. Tuesday at Burke-Tubbs Funeral Home in Forreston, and from 9:30 A.M. until the time of service at the church. Burial will be at Chapel Hill Memorial Gardens. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established for the Forreston Fire protection and for faith United Methodist Church. Please visit www.burketubbs.com to sign his guestbook and to share memories.