Stephen Koeln

PERRYVILLE, Mo. -- Stephen "Steve" Allan Koeln, 73, of Perryville died Wednesday, Jan. 9, 2019, from colon cancer at Saint Francis Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

Steve grew up in Rock Hill, Missouri, and graduated from Webster Groves High School. He received his bachelor's and master's degrees from University of Central Missouri. After graduating with his bachelor's 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 U.S. Army and assigned to the artillery. He attained the rank of sergeant (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-plus years of teaching industrial technology at Perryville Middle School.

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 sixth-, seventh- and eighth-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 these years in Perryville and teaching at the Middle School were the best years of his life. Steve, when asked why he moved to Perryville, would reply 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 leaves his mother, Katherine Koeln; his brother and sister-in-law, Greg and Linda Koeln, and their children, Justin and Sally Koeln; his 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's family will be inviting all those who knew and loved Steve to a celebration of his life. They are planning this for some time in the future in Perryville.

Online condolences may be shared at www.fordandsonsfuneralhome.com.

Ford and Sons Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.