Mason William Koester

Mason William Koester, 27, of Harrisburg, Illinois, passed away unexpectedly on Saturday, December 30, 2023, in a motor vehicle accident.  Mason was born on May 4, 1996, in Evansville, Indiana. Mason was a very patient, resilient, forgiving young man. To know him was to love him. In June of 2018, Mason married the love of his life Ashley Binkley who was also his high school sweetheart. Their family then grew in August of 2018 when they brought their first beautiful daughter into this world Isabella Danielle Koester (age 5) and then again in December 2019 when they brought their second beautiful daughter into this world Genesis Ruth Koester (age 4). Mason was a very devoted husband and father.  His wife Ashley and his two girls Genesis and Isabella were his world. Mason graduated from Gallatin County High School in 2014, where he then attended SIC for three years and earned an associate degree in Criminal Justice in 2017.  He is survived by his wife, Ashley Koester; his daughters, Isabella and Genesis; his parents, Pat and Keri Koester of Harrisburg and Tina (Naas) and Paul Money of Shawneetown; his mother- and father-in-law, Marc and Danielle Hutchison of Carrier Mills; his siblings, Austin (Brittany) Koester of Shawneetown, Trey Martin of Shawneetown, Jared Jackson (Jordan Darnell) and their daughter, Journee Jackson, of Herrin, Karlie Jackson (Jarren Goldman) of Herrin, and Megan Martin of Evansville, Indiana; and his grandparents, Denny and Marlene Naas of Shawneetown and Paula Richerson of Harrisburg. Mason was preceded in death by his grandparents, Ralph and Donna Koester, of Ridgway, and his uncle, Paul Koester, of Ridgway. He will also be deeply missed by his extended family, including many other stepsiblings, cousins, aunts, and uncles.  Mason was employed at Aisin Electronics in Marion, Illinois, as an electronics supervisor for the past six years as he was very passionate and dedicated to his job. Though he was taken too soon, Mason will be forever remembered for his gentle and loving spirit. Services will be held at Vickery Funeral Chapel in Ridgway, on Wednesday, January 3rd, with visitation starting at 10 a.m. until funeral service at 1 p.m. with Matt Martin officiating the service. The burial will follow at St Joseph Cemetery near Ridgway.  In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Banterra Bank for Isabella and Genesis memorial fund.