Stephen (Steve) Allan Koeln, 73, of Perryville, Missouri, died on Wednesday, January 9, 2019 from colon cancer at Saint Francis Hospital, Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Steve leaves mother, Katherine Koeln, his brother and sister-in-law, Greg and Linda Koeln, their children, Justin and Sally Koeln, Steve’s uncle and aunt, Bill and Doris Koeln, and many wonderful cousins and friends. He was preceded in death by his father, Harold E. Koeln, who died in 2004.
Steve grew up in Rock Hill, MO and graduated from Webster Groves High School. He received his bachelor and master degrees from University of Central Missouri. After graduating with his bachelor degree in 1968, he taught metal work at Lindbergh High School in St. Louis County, Missouri.
In the summer of 1969 he was drafted into the US Army and assigned to the Artillery. He attained the rank of Sargent E-5 and spent 10 months in Vietnam. When he returned stateside, he continued to teach high school metal work at Lindbergh.
In 1980 he started his own welding business, Forge Master, making ornamental iron rails, fences, lighting, and furniture. In 1994 he decided to return to teaching and began his 25+ years of teaching Industrial Technology at Perryville Middle School, in Perryville, Missouri. He loved students and was always very patient with them.
His students were very special to him, as were his colleagues at school and many of the parents of his students. In addition to teaching various Industrial Technology courses for 6th, 7th, and 8th graders, he also served as the faculty advisor for the Computer and Video Clubs for many years. Each summer he participated in Summer Scape for the students.
Despite the heat, Summer Scape was a very special time for Steve and his students. He often said that these years in Perryville and teaching at the Middle School have been the best years of his life. Steve, when asked why he moved to Perryville, he would reply that he selected Perryville because he wanted to be a part of a community and he sure found one and was a big part of it.
One of Steve’s other passions was restoring theater pipe organs. His home in Perryville was literally built around his pipe organ. Steve was an active member of the St. Louis Theater Organ Society.
Steve’s family will be inviting all those that knew and loved Steve to a celebration of his life. They are planning this for sometime in the future in Perryville, MO. To send flowers or a memorial gift to the family of Stephen Allen Koeln please visit our Sympathy Store.
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