Rev. Dr. Gerald M. Koster, 91, closed his eyes with his loving daughter Candy by his side in the early morning of Oct. 29, 2015, to then open his eyes to see his Lord and savior whom he loved and served.
He was born Dec. 29, 1923, in Beaver, to Rev. Fred Otterbein Koster and Rev. Beulah Belle (Haskins) Koster.
His father was a town and country preacher who served three to four churches at a time. His early life was always prayer, the love of his family and the constant influence and inspiration of how to love and serve the Lord. Going to church three to four times a Sunday was not an option but a great gift of being in the house of the Lord.
The Lord was certainly giving him early instruction and showing him through his parents the great ministry that was ahead. Gerald graduated from Pomeroy High School, Otterbein University, The Ohio State University, Ashland University, United Theological Seminary and Slidell University and was a licensed massage therapist.
He was a veteran of World War II, where he was the Chaplain’s assistant, working in hospitals. Later he was involved with the Ohio Military Reserve as a Chaplain and retired as a Colonel, and he was always very proud of his military experiences.
He was a 50-plus year member of Hilltop Kiwanis Club and had the privilege of being president and leader in many civic organizations throughout the years.
He married Marjorie Echo (Pittenger) Koster on July 31, 1947, who was a song evangelist with the Church of Nazarene. They together became great servants of the Lord. He pastored nine churches over the span of 72 years, starting in the Brethren in Christ Church, The EUB Church and The United Methodist Church. After retiring for about a week, he became a supply pulpit minister preaching the gospel at many different churches, including The Hungarian Reformed Church and The Sugar Creek American Baptist Church, where he went for two weeks and stayed 5 1/2 years.
At 77 years old, he was assigned to the Orient U.M.C. and felt God was still using him for the Kingdom. He felt he was the oldest pastor still serving a congregation. His entire life was serving others, telling them about how great Jesus is and walking and talking his faith. He also served as Chaplain for the State of Ohio at TICO for over 27 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents; baby brother, Forest Glen Koster; brother, Fred Coleman Koster; wife, Echo Koster; and sons-in-law, Joseph A. Johnson and Craig A. Weigand, whom he called both his sons.
Gerald is survived by his loving daughter, Candy L. Koster Weigand; and his precious granddaughter, Pastor Tiffany L. Johnson; sister, Freda Dec; brother-in-law Rochell Pittenger; nieces, nephews and cousins, many adopted daughters and sons, close friends and church members through the years.
Funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015, at Trinity United Methodist Church, 4850 Haughn Rd., Grove City. Friends may call from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Monday at the church. Interment will be in Concord Cemetery with Lay Pastor Candy Koster Weigand and Pastor Tiffany Johnson officiating and other clergy assisting.
We are celebrating the homecoming of a great and faithful servant. He often said, “Someday you will read that I have passed away but don’t you believe it, I am more alive than I have ever been.”
In lieu of flowers, he would be happy if you would give a contribution to his missionary granddaughter, Tiffany, whom he lived everyday to help support her work in serving the Lord.
Well done, good and faithful servant.
Arrangements completed by Wellman Funeral Home, Circleville.
This article originally appeared on The Pickaway News Journal
