Donald P. Koster

Donald Peter Koster, age 91, of Cedar Springs, MI passed away peacefully on Father’s Day, June 16, 2024. Don was a devoted husband, father and grandfather who loved family above all else. Don was a graduate of Cedar Springs High School, class of 1950. He was an U.S. Army veteran and bravely served our country in the Korean War. Upon his return to the states, Don married Candy (Hughes) and became a devoted husband and father to his two girls. He loved gardening, World War II history, Tiger baseball and University of Michigan football. Don was an avid sports fan and secretly cheered for the Chicago Cubs. Don spent his career at Meijer, Inc. being hired at age 14 and leaving when he was drafted. His integrity, work ethic and loyalty to Meijer led to his advancement from stock boy to senior buyer/merchandiser. After 39 years of service, Don retired in 1991. Meijer remained in his heart forever, as Don was a major donor to the Frederick Meijer Japanese Garden, which opened in 2015. His family will forever see his legacy on the plaque displaying the donor names at the entrance. He took great pleasure in the little things in life. He enjoyed washing and waxing his car, shopping and following the various activities of his grandchildren. He was very proud to see each of his grandchildren graduate from college and get married. Family was the most important thing to him and he loved the chance to shower them with gifts every chance he got. Don will be missed immensely, but we can take comfort in remembering the quote he had engraved on his beloved wife’s headstone, “Love never dies.” Surviving are his daughters, Kim (Gene) Hamilton, Lori (Rob) Lang; proud grandpa to, Kate (Matt) Connor, Sarah (Kenny) Dietrich, Erika (Brad) Beckett, Kevin (Morgan) Lang; great grandchildren, Kaleb, Hayley and Gavin Connor, Samuel Dietrich, Peter Lang, Allison and Lena Beckett. He was preceded in death by his parents, Hattie and Peter Koster, wife, Candy, great granddaughter, Chloe, and four siblings. The family will receive friends Wednesday, June 19 from 6-8 pm at the K.E. Pike Funeral Home, Cedar Springs where the service will be held Thursday 11:00 am. Interment with military honors at Elmwood Cemetery, Cedar Springs. Memorial contributions may be made to Frederik Meijer Gardens, 1000 East Beltline Avenue NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525.