SR0055 103RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SR0055 LRB103 30003 MST 56423 r

SENATE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois Senate are saddened to learn of the death of Teddy Gene "Ted" Koester of Chatham, who passed away on January 24, 2023; and

WHEREAS, Ted Koester was born to James Richard Koester and Alice Nell Kribbs in Moberly, Missouri on October 10, 1959; he graduated from Glenwood High School in 1978, receiving varsity letters in baseball, basketball, and football and being voted by his peers as the most personable, the most popular, the most athletic, the best all-around, and the 1978 prom king; he was an outstanding athlete and earned a football scholarship to play at Southeast Missouri State University; he married Kelly Ann Rourke on September 21, 2013; and

WHEREAS, Ted Koester was a true craftsman and spent most of his life as a contractor, building many homes in Chatham and the surrounding areas with his company, Homes by Ted Koester; he also owned and operated several real estate companies and worked for Illinois National Bank; and

WHEREAS, Ted Koester's passion for sports led him to opening Ted's Sporting Goods in Springfield at the age of 19; he was asked to sponsor and soon recruited to play on a slow-pitch softball team, where he met lifelong friends; he was the former vice president of Chatham Baseball and Softball, Inc. (CBSI), and he led the construction of the baseball concession stand that is now dedicated in his honor at Chatham Community Park; and

WHEREAS, Ted Koester was a proud Chatham Jaycee since 1980 and was the leader of the "Engine Room" at the annual Chatham Sweetcorn Festival; he enjoyed gardening, fishing, golfing, and spending time at the family cabin on Sugar Creek Lake in Missouri; he enjoyed listening to country music, spending time in the lodge, where he often enjoyed a drink with family and friends, and watching old westerns, sports of all kinds, and the Food Network; and

WHEREAS, Ted Koester was known for being a hard worker and possessing high integrity and character; he was a man of few words and many deeds; most of all, he will be remembered for his infinite and unyielding love for his family and many friends; and

WHEREAS, Ted Koester was preceded in death by his parents; his brother, Kenny Skinner; his stepfather, Larry Skinner; his stepbrother, Chuck Tuggle; and his stepmother, Roberta; and

WHEREAS, Ted Koester is survived by his wife, Kelly; his children, Ryan Littrell (Penny Tehrani), David (Sarah) Littrell, Jared (Angie) Koester, Brittany (Phillip) Bisch, Abbey (Michael) Maloney, and Sean Garcia (Merissa Billhartz); his grandchildren, Reagan and Colin Littrell, Jake, Jimmy, and Addi Jo Koester, Alice Ann Bisch, and Finn and Isla Maloney; his siblings, Jacqueline Koester, L.B. (Sara) Skinner, Jamie (Chris) Milcik, Jason Koester, Jenny (Greg) Dial, Steve (Karla) Skinner, Lisa (Garry) Martin, and Lori and Steve Tuggle; his stepmother, Brenda Koester; and numerous nieces and nephews; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE ONE HUNDRED THIRD GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we mourn the passing of Teddy Gene "Ted" Koester and extend our sincere condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to the family of Ted Koester as an expression of our deepest sympathy.