David C. "Colonel" Koenig (64) of Effingham

David C. “Colonel” Koenig, 64, of Effingham, IL, passed away at 5:52 a.m. on Tuesday, September 27, 2022 at home surrounded by his wife and children.

Funeral services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, 2022 at Johnson Funeral Home. Burial will follow at Oak Ridge Cemetery in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Friday, September 30, 2022, at the funeral home.

Memorials may be made to the American Cancer Society or donor’s choice. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here. 

David was born on July 26, 1958, in Effingham, IL, the son of Kenneth “Red” and Martha (Heath) Koenig. He graduated from Effingham High School in 1976. On November 13, 1987 he married Melissa Grewell. David worked for CIPS/Ameren Illinois since 1979. He was a gas utility foreman for 25 of those years.

David was involved in many sports during his lifetime. He was an avid men’s slow pitch softball player. He played on many different teams in Effingham, Altamont, and Dieterich throughout the years, but most notably for the Depoister Drilling & Turner Trucking teams. He was inducted into the Softball Hall of Fame in 2010 as a part of the Turner Trucking team. He was also an ASA Commissioner for years. David coached many kids through little league, legion baseball, and girls softball, including his son Kenny’s and daughter Shelby’s teams.

During David’s many years of bowling he rolled multiple 300 games. He was nominated and voted into the Effingham USBC Hall of Fame. He served on the Effingham Bowling Association Board of Directors and held the offices of president and vice president. David was also a past member of the Effingham Elks Club. He never knew a stranger and made friends wherever he was.

David loved spending time with his wife, kids, and grandkids. He was a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan. He was always the life of the party and loved by all his family and friends.

David is survived by his wife, Melissa Koenig; children, Jason (Stephanie) Koenig, Beth Koenig, Joshua (Lauren) Koenig, Lindsay Koenig, Kenny (Chelsie) Koenig, Shelby (Josh) Funneman, and Jessica (Derek) Mette; grandchildren, Lane, Skyler, Blake, Keagyn, Chase, Kamden, Jackson, Kalynn, Ayson, Mila, Quinn, Rynleigh, and Nolan; siblings, Becky (Kyle) Fox, John (Patsy) Koenig, Beverly Smith, Barbara (Leroy) Schneider, and Marjorie Haarmann; sister-in-law, Diane Koenig; brother-in-law, Wayne Slifer; mother and father-in-law, Ronald and Kaye Grewell; sister-in-law, Cindy (Darrell) Smith; brother-in-law, Scott (Cheryl) Grewell; 24 nieces and nephews; and many great and great-great nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; infant daughter, Katy Koenig; brother, Kenny Koenig Jr.; sister, Jane Ann Slifer; and brothers-in-law, Kenny Smith and Jerry Haarmann.