Obituary: Koehl

Deryleen “Dee” Webster Koehl passed away peacefully at Fairview Haven in Fairbury, Illinois, on Sunday, Feb 1, 2026. She was 95 years old.

Dee was born on August 5, 1930, in Chicago, Illinois, to the late Frank and Veta Hamilton Webster. In 1935,  her family moved to McDowell, later married and lived in Pontiac, Illinois, and eventually settling in Fairbury.

She graduated from Saunemin High School, Class of 1948, and married the late Lael  Garner. Dee worked for many years at the Old Log Cabin Restaurant in Pontiac, where she became well known and loved. Later, she met and married Samuel Koehl, the love of her life, and her adventures truly began. Dee loved to travel, read, and embrace new experiences. Together, she and Sam traveled the world through the People to People Ambassadors program.

Dee and her family attended McDowell Methodist Church before transferring to Pontiac Methodist Church. In later years, she attended the Apostolic Christian Church in Bloomington with her late husband, Samuel Koehl.

Dee was preceded in death by her husbands; her parents; her brother, Lyle Webster; her daughter-in-laws: Sheryl (Roger) Garner and Carolyn (Paul) Garner; a son-in-law Charles (Cathy) Maubach; one grandson-in-law; a grandchild; and one great-grandchild.

She is survived by her sister, Carol Webster Hartley of Corpus Christi, Texas; her children: Larry (Gaile) Garner, Paul Garner, Roger Garner, Alan (Fe) Garner, Peggy (Deborah) Garner, and Cathy Maubach. Also surviving are twelve grandchildren, twenty great-grandchildren, and three great-great-grandchildren, along with cousins, nieces, and nephews.

At Dee’s request, no services are planned. Memorial donations may be made to the Serenity Villa Assisted Living Building Fund or to a charity of the donor’s choice. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to the staff of Fairview Haven for their compassionate care of our mother in her final years and days.