Robert Koeller
Alton | Save
Robert E. “Bob” Koeller, 87, died at 5:50 a.m. on Saturday, Feb. 11 2012 at Saint Anthony's Hospital in Alton. He was born September 26 1924 in Alton, IL and was the son of Henry B. and Eva (Ruppaner) Koeller.
He married the Gracie E. Herrmann on August 28, 1948 at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, she survives.
He graduated from St. Mary’s Grade School, Alton, attended Marquette High School 3 years and then graduated from Jerseyville Township High School. He also attended the University of Illinois and SIUE. His brother and partner in business, Louis B. Koeller, sister Mary Jane Koeller and son Richard “Rick” L. Koeller preceded him in death.
A partner in Koeller Bros. Farms, Godfrey he was active throughout his life in promoting agricultural interests. He was a lifetime member of Madison County Farm Bureau and served as president before being elected to the Illinois Farm Bureau Board of Director’s, serving eight years. He was influential in the Illinois Legislature adopting the Farmland Assessment Law and served twenty years as a member of the Madison County Farmland Review Committee. Representing agriculture, he served on Illinois Governor Thompson’s State Tax Reform Commission. Along with his Farm Bureau activities he served on the Board of Directors for Country Life Insurance, Godfrey State Bank, and Wedge Bank of Alton. He also was manager of Godfrey Township Utility Board for ten years.
Active in community affairs, Koeller served in numerous roles in the Village of Godfrey’s development. He helped guide the incorporation of Godfrey into a Village served on the Transition Committee and then on several development committees including chairing the Godfrey Community Planning and Economic Development Committee.
He was a charter member of St. Ambrose Catholic Church, Godfrey where he and his wife Gracie were married and their five children graduated from St. Ambrose Grade School. He is survived by his wife of sixty-three years and four children Karen A. Zuckerman (Richard) of Peoria, Illinois, Robert H. Koeller of Alton, Illinois, Connie T. Koeller of Marshfield, Vermont, and Steven P. Koeller of Godfrey, Illinois. He was fortunate to have three grandchildren, Jessica Koeller, Nicholas Koeller, and Bradley Koeller all of Godfrey with whom he shared his infinite wisdom.
He enjoyed farming and hobbies which included fishing and traveling, especially with his wife Gracie.
Visitation will be from 4 until 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb.14, at Gent Funeral Home in Alton.
A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at St. Ambrose church in Godfrey. Father Steve Pohlman will officiate.
Burial will be a St. Patrick’s Cemetery in Godfrey.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Illinois Agriculture Association or St. Ambrose School Foundation.
Gent Funeral Home
