OBITUARY: Hubert "Yardbird" Koester

Hubert "Yardbird" Koester, age 79, lifetime resident of Ridgway, entered into eternal rest on the evening of Tuesday, Jan. 8, 2014.

Hubert was born on Dec. 4, 1934, to the late John and Eleanora (Neumann) Koester. He married Judy (Milligan) Koester on April 19, 1968, and she preceded him in death on Feb. 12, 2003. He was the loving father of Debbie (Jeff) Worthington and Cindy (Mike) Jolly. He was the beloved grandfather of Logan, Jourdan, Ethan and Mikayla. He was the devoted brother of Lucy Wahnseidler, Loretta "Corky" Campbell, Frank (Judy) Koester and Alice (John) Hanagan and is survived by his sister-in-law, Donna Koester, Ann Milligan, Ruth (David) Kepperling; and brother-in-law, Jim (Carol) Milligan; many nieces and nephews.

Hubert is preceded in death by his siblings Margret Market, Ralph, Paul and Gene Koester.

We would like to send a heart felt thank you to Stella and Mary Jo for their compassion and devotion to the care of our beloved father. He served his country in the United States Army. Hubert worked most of his life as a farmer. He was a faithful member of St. Kateri Catholic Church. He was member of the American Legion Post No. 596, Fourth Degree Knight of Ridgway Knights of Columbus, L.A. Lambert Council No. 1581. Hubert loved music, hunting, horse racing and woodworking and most of all doing something for someone else. He had a kind heart and gentle soul.

Visitation for Yardbird will be 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 12, 2014, at Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway with prayer service at 7 p.m. Funeral will be at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Shawneetown with burial in St. Joseph Cemetery near Ridgway. Military rites will be performed by the Ridgway American Legion Post No. 596 and the Military Honors Team of Marion. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to the St. Kateri Building Fund or VNA Hospice of Eldorado.

Internet condolences may be made at the website, www.vickeryfuneralchapel.com.