John Koestner's Obituary
John Koestner, 82 of Centerville died Sunday July 18, 2004 at his home.
He was born September 10, 1921 in Centerville the son of Charles Richard Koestner and Olinda Hunger) Koestner. He was educated in the Centerville Public School System and graduated with the class of 1938. He married Virginia Everman at the First Lutheran Church, Centerville November 9, 1941, and to this union two children were born; son Kris and a daughter Cynthia (Roscoe) Keene.
John served in W.W.II in the Army Air Corps, and as a member of the Pathfinders, was in the first plane to cross the English Channel on D-Day at Normandy in Operation Overlord. Like others of his generation he saw this as his duty, not an extraordinary achievement.
John worked primarily in the food service industry, most recently as Co-owner with his son Kris and operator of the J& K Market and the J& K Barn. Prior to this he owned the Bluebird Cafe for many years. Virginia and his children played important roles in all of his family business endeavors.
John was a member of many organizations in his life. He considered his membership to the First Lutheran Church of Centerville to be the most important.
John is survived by his wife Virginia, two children Kris Koestner of Centerville, Cindy Keene and her husband Roscoe of Centerville, four grandchildren Chad (Courtney) Koestner, Tina, T.J. and Mike Keene; and two step-grandchildren Debra Sinclair and Pam Trimble. He is also survived by two great grand children, Quinton and Alyssa Kathleen Koestner.
He is preceded in death by his parents, a brother Wallace Koestner and a sister Kathleen Hand.
Funeral services will be held 10:30 a.m. Thursday, July 22, 2004 at the First Evangelical Lutheran Church, Centerville with Pastor Robert Elgin and Rev. Dr. Gary Kinkle officiating. Friends may call all day Wednesday with the family present from 5-8 PM at the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, Centerville. Burial will be in the Oakland Cemetery, Centerville. In lieu of flowers a memorial has been established to the First Lutheran Church of Centerville, or Mercy Hospice of Centerville and may be left or mailed to the Thomas Lange Funeral Home, PO Box 6, Centerville, Iowa 52544.
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