Forrest Raymond Moeckel went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 23, 2022.  A memorial service will be held at Mt. Calvary Church in Brentwood on January 11, 2023 at 7:00 pm; with visitation from 5:00pm to 7:00pm.

Forrest is preceded in death by his loving wife of 66 years, Peggy Jo Moeckel, his granddaughter Kate Kasten, her husband Kory, and their children Jonathan & Zoe. Forrest is survived by sons Rick (Debbie), Andy (Lynn) and Steve (Anne); grandchildren Chris (Nicki) Moeckel, Julie (Jordan) Janes, Robert Moeckel, Evelyn Moeckel; and great-grandchildren Lily & Taylor Janes, Olivia & Charlotte Moeckel and Alexis Fitzmorris & Lacey Smith.

Some remember Forrest fondly from his years serving as a Scoutmaster for troop 339. From hiking the mountains at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico to making Dutch-oven apple cobbler while camping at Beaumont Scout Reservation in St. Louis County, and many weeks at S bar F Scout Ranch, Forrest led the boys in adventures and lessons that shaped their lives forever.

Perhaps you knew Forrest from his boating days. His first boat was a 14 foot Pabst, with a 40 horsepower Mercury outboard engine that he towed to Lake Norfork in Arkansas for their annual family vacation. There his three young boys made life-long friends with whom they still keep in contact. Forrest taught his boys how to water ski, encouraged them to dive off cliffs into the beautiful water, and expected them to pitch in with chores like fetching the day’s water at Robinson Point Campground. Forrest graduated from this little runabout to larger boats that he harbored on the Alton Lake area of the Mississippi River. Now teenagers, Captain Moc made sure the boys learned all about safe boating. Engine maintenance, dented prop repairs, routine cleaning & polishing, and the most exciting part …piloting the boat from the fly-bridge were just a few of the skills that Forrest passed along to his sons.

Forrest was not only an outdoorsman, but he also served his community and church in many ways.  In his youth, he belonged to the Walther League where he developed his love of God and service to others. After marrying Peggy Jo and moving to Brentwood, Forrest was elected an Alderman in the early 1960s, belonged to the Rotary Club, and was a faithful member of Mount Calvary Lutheran Church for over 70 years. There he served on various church Boards and Committees and joined in as many activities as were offered. Forrest sang in the choir, helped raise funds for the crosses & pavilion, participated in Bible study groups, accompanied the Youth Group on mission trips to Mexico to build houses, and even arranged for a crew of 25 church members to accompany two 18-wheelers, filled with new household appliances, to New Orleans after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. There Forrest and his church family cleaned, hammered, hoisted, and rebuilt many homes for grateful homeowners.  Of all the efforts Forrest put forth in his life, he always knew where his strength and determination came from … Lord, Jesus! He never missed an opportunity to give God praise & glory for every blessing in his life. Even in his last year of life, Forrest wanted his room to be filled with reminders of God’s grace & provision: photos of his wife, children & grandchildren, pictures of his church, Sunday morning Bulletins and a simple wooden cross necklace were his most treasured possessions.  Forrest’s sons have peace knowing that their father is now at home with Jesus, and he can clearly hear every word of every song that the angels sing in praise to God the Father!

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:
The Blind Ministry at www.not-alone.net