Obituary: Koehl

Rosemary Koehl, 73, of Forrest, passed away at 9:30 a.m. on May 31, 2025.

Visitation will be held at Duffy-Pils Memorial Home, Fairbury on Tuesday, June 3, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  A funeral service will be held at Forrest Apostolic Christian Church on Wednesday, June 4. Viewing will be held from 9:00 to 9:45 a.m., with the funeral service to start at 10:00 a.m.  Following the funeral service, a brief graveside service and burial will be held at South Apostolic Christian Church Cemetery, rural Fairbury.  Memorials may be directed to the American Cancer Society or Fairview Haven Retirement Community in Fairbury.

Rosemary was born July 17, 1951 in Fairbury; the daughter of George and Alice (Ifft) Lehmann.  She married Barry J. Koehl on November 25, 1972 in Strawn.  Her parents preceded her in death.

Survivors include her husband Barry; her children, Ryan (Michelle) Koehl of Waukegan; Darren Koehl of Forrest; Kristen (Kurt) Slagel of Grabill, IN; eight grandchildren, Jadyn, Andru, Tyler and Dayna Koehl; Michaela, Josiah, Nathan and Kara Slagel; one great-grandchild, Indie Slagel; two brothers, Arthur (Jana) Lehmann of Forrest, and Ken (Mary) Lehmann of Decatur; and two sisters, Karen (Rich) Stoller of Fairbury, and Rhoda (Jeff) Gaines of Champaign.

Rosemary was a 1969 graduate of Forrest-Strawn-Wing High School and a member of the Forrest Apostolic Christian Church. She was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother.  She was a skilled homemaker and cook who truly knew how to make a loving and inviting home for her family and many others.

True to her name, Rose, she had a love for the beauty of God’s creation, which included a passion for flower gardening that graced the landscape. She also enriched her home with her love of singing and music. For over 50 years, alongside her husband Barry, she helped to manage the Koehl Centennial Family Farm. She possessed a sweet, warm, and kind spirit that was a comfort and blessing to all who knew her.  Her simple but deep faith in Christ showed itself in countless acts of service and thoughtful kindness toward her family, her church, and many others.  

Her family and many friends will miss her deeply, but rejoice in knowing that she is now forever with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, whom she loved and faithfully served.