Walter F. Koester

Walter F. Koester, 90, of Monroeville, Indiana passed away early Tuesday morning, May 7, 2019 at Brookdale Fort Wayne.

He was born on December 8, 1928 in Fort Wayne, Indiana to George W. & Louella M. (Thiele) Koester. Walter grew up on his family’s farm, learning at a young age to love the land and its animals.

He served his country in the United States Army during the Korean Conflict being stationed in Stuttgart, Germany where he worked at the 5th General Hospital repairing their equipment. It was during this time in Germany that he met the love of his life through their letters. He married Virginia Kaiser on September 11, 1954 (one day after her 20th birthday) at St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock and she preceded him in death on February 27, 2015. They built their house on an acre of ground on his parent’s family farm and lived there until having the opportunity to purchase Virginia’s home place in the mid 1960’s and moved the family to settle on that farm.

Prior to and following the Korean War, Walter was employed at Stuckey Brothers in Fort Wayne where he delivered, installed, and repaired whatever they sold. From setting up farm machinery to repairing electronic devices, he was open to any challenge. Walter retired from Magnavox in Fort Wayne where he managed the repair department. Eventually, he managed the employee store and continued farming in his “spare time”. In 1987 his job was eliminated at Magnavox which enabled him to farm full time. He was always interested in what is now referred to as regenerative agriculture so he began studying how best to implement soil friendly practices and developed presentations for his fellow famers.

He was a member of St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock where he had served as an elder. Walter was a witness to all he met of his Lord and Savior Jesus. A steadfast Christian his entire life, he was known to pray with those in need of guidance and prayed the Lord’s Prayer frequently with others going through difficult times.

Survivors include three daughters, Sharon (George) Rorick of Monroeville, Joyce (Kenneth) Fisher of Fort Wayne, & Janet (John) Long of Payne, OH; brother, Harry (Alice) Koester of Howe; sister, Delaine Hapner of Peoria, AZ; six grandchildren, Matthew (Susan) Linder, Daniel Fisher, Rachel Long, Brooke Long, Dan (Abbey) Rorick, & Heidi (Josh) Stamets; & seven great-grandchildren, Alex Rorick, Annabelle Rorick, Isaac Stamets, Frederick Stamets, Sophie Linder, Gabriel Stamets, and Annie Linder.

He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, & a granddaughter, Elizabeth Linder.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, May 11, 2019, at the St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock with Pastor Douglas Christian officiating. Burial will follow at St. John Lutheran Cemetery, Flatrock with Military Graveside Honors to be conducted by the American Legion Post #420 of Monroeville.

Family & friends will be received from 2 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Friday, May 10, 2019 at Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville and one hour prior to services Saturday at the church.

Preferred memorials are to  St. John Lutheran Church, Flatrock or Worship Anew.

Arrangements by Zwick & Jahn Funeral Home, Jacobs Chapel in Monroeville, Indiana.