Marsha Lynn Koets

Marsha Lynn Koets, age 74 of Mattoon, IL passed away on Wednesday, July 22, 2026, at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. A memorial service in her honor will be held at 5:00 PM, Friday, August 28, 2026, at Mitchell-Jerdan Funeral Home, 1200 Wabash Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938. Pastor Travis Spencer will officiate. The visitation will be held from 4:00 PM until the time of service at the funeral home. Marsha was born on July 2, 1952, in Danville, IL to the late Roy and Mary (Orrick) Sheppard. She married the love of her life, Gary Koets, on June 10, 1973, in Mattoon, IL; he survives and resides in Mattoon. She is also survived by her three daughters, Tracie Tomlin and husband Jared of Parrish, FL, Jennifer Heller of Brunswick, GA, Rebecca Koets of Jacksonville, FL; seven grandchildren: Madison, Mason, Makeon, Maxton, Lily, Leo, and Lucy; and one brother, David Sheppard of Whitney, Texas. Marsha devoted her life to educating young minds as a beloved elementary school teacher with the Mattoon Community School District #2. Throughout her career, she taught every elementary grade level, and well past retirement age, she continued teaching because of the joy she found in the classroom. An avid reader, Marsha rarely left the library with fewer than three books in hand, a reflection of her lifelong curiosity and love of learning. She was also a proud member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. Above all, Marsha cherished her family. She shared a life of love with her husband and treasured every opportunity to be involved in the lives of her daughters and grandchildren. Her legacy lives on through the countless lives she touched as a teacher, and through the love she so faithfully shared with her family. Memorial donations in her honor may be made to Riddle Elementary School, 4201 Western Avenue, Mattoon, IL 61938 or ERBA Coles County West, Attn: Head Start Program, 416 S. 17th Street, Mattoon, IL 61938. Please visit www.mitchell-jerdan.com or www.facebook.com/mitchelljerdanfuneralhome to light a virtual candle in her honor or share a memory with the family.

Marsha Lynn Koets

July 2, 1952 - July 22, 2026