Gerald Alan “Jerry” Moenster, 76, of Dittmer died Oct. 11, 2025. Mr. Moenster taught at several schools, including McKinley High School and Riverview Gardens High School. He was the first principal at Grandview High School and later became superintendent. After retiring from Grandview, he became the director of human resources at Collinsville Community Unit School District 10. He coached track, cross country and soccer. He was a Christian and a member of the Kirkwood Church of Christ. As a young man, he attained the rank of Eagle Scout and spent many summers working as a counselor at various Boy Scout camps. He was passionate about collecting and restoring old cars and attending car shows and swap meets. In 2008, he started creating license plate art. He loved spending time with family, fishing, watching sports and learning about world history. He was a mechanic and handyman, working to keep cars running and tending to his home and property. He was a longtime fan of the Indianapolis 500, attended more than 30 races and was a ticket holder until passing them on to family. He will be remembered for his dedication to education and his leadership. Born July 4, 1949, in St. Louis, he was the son of the late Dorothy Louise (Hotfelder) and John Francis Moenster. He was the stepson of the late Vera Moenster.
He is survived by his wife: Ginger C. (Pekins) Moenster; three children: Christopher (Shannon) Moenster, Todd (Cherie) Moenster and Jamie (Christopher Weyer) Moenster; two grandchildren: Chrystal Lee and Alexander Moenster; three siblings: David Moenster, Sandy Bauer and Mary Sutter; his in-laws: Dora Moenster, Janice and Doug Tellingheusen, Tim Perkins and Jody and Dan Huck; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and great-grandnephews.
He was preceded in death by an uncle and aunt: Tom and Stella Kennedy, whom he lived with for a year after the death of his mother; a brother: Jack Moenster; two brothers-in-law: Bob Bauer and Mike Sutter; and a sister-in-law: Annie Moenster.
Visitation is scheduled from 5-9 p.m. today, Nov. 14, at Grandview R-2 High School, 1147 State Hwy. C, in Hillsboro. A funeral service is scheduled for 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 15, at the school. Memorials may be made to the Jerry Moenster Memorial Scholarship Fund, FSCB 4767 Hwy. B, Hillsboro, 63050. Donation envelopes will be available at the visitation and funeral. Arrangements are under the direction of Chapel Hill Mortuary.