July 9, 2020 at 3:40 p.m.
Donald Coats
Obituary
Donald W. Coats, 90, Selma, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2020, at his residence, after a long and slowly progressive battle with Alzheimer’s disease.
Donald was born Dec. 16, 1929, in Jay County, the son of Bernard and Minnie (Abbott) Coats. He graduated from Governor I.P. Gray High School in Jay County and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ball State University.
Mr. Coats was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received a Korean Service medal with two bronze stars, as well as a United Nations Service medal.
After military honorable discharge and college, he worked in the electronics department at Ball Stores for many years as a department manager. In later years, he was employed with Central Manufacturing in Parker City.
Don was a member of Harris Chapel Church of the Nazarene, where he attended Kaye Whitehead’s Sunday School Class.
Don enjoyed exercising at the YMCA and activities at his church. He found joy in his grandchildren, fishing, hunting, racing, mowing his yard and being outdoors as much as possible.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Idola Coats, Selma; three children, James Coats (wife: Barbara), Selma, Donna Van Huis (husband: Brett), Westfield, and Lori Wright (husband: Kent), Leavenworth, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren, Sean Coats (wife: Ashley), Scott Coats (wife: Megan), Zachary Van Huis, Jared Wright, Bralen Wright and Caleb Wright; two great-grandchildren, Charlotte Coats and Hudson Coats; his sister, Maxine Garringer; a brother-in-law, Eugene Dynes; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Coats was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Minnie Coats; his brothers, Bob, Junior and Raymond Coats; and a sister, Shirley Dynes.
Private family services will be held on Friday, July 10, followed by burial at Antioch Cemetery, Portland, Indiana, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harris Chapel Church of the Nazarene, 10450 S. 544 East, Selma, IN 47383, or Alzheimer’s Association, online at alz.org.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at meeksmortuary.com.
In God we trust for all things.
Donald was born Dec. 16, 1929, in Jay County, the son of Bernard and Minnie (Abbott) Coats. He graduated from Governor I.P. Gray High School in Jay County and obtained his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Ball State University.
Mr. Coats was a sergeant in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and received a Korean Service medal with two bronze stars, as well as a United Nations Service medal.
After military honorable discharge and college, he worked in the electronics department at Ball Stores for many years as a department manager. In later years, he was employed with Central Manufacturing in Parker City.
Don was a member of Harris Chapel Church of the Nazarene, where he attended Kaye Whitehead’s Sunday School Class.
Don enjoyed exercising at the YMCA and activities at his church. He found joy in his grandchildren, fishing, hunting, racing, mowing his yard and being outdoors as much as possible.
He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Idola Coats, Selma; three children, James Coats (wife: Barbara), Selma, Donna Van Huis (husband: Brett), Westfield, and Lori Wright (husband: Kent), Leavenworth, Pennsylvania; six grandchildren, Sean Coats (wife: Ashley), Scott Coats (wife: Megan), Zachary Van Huis, Jared Wright, Bralen Wright and Caleb Wright; two great-grandchildren, Charlotte Coats and Hudson Coats; his sister, Maxine Garringer; a brother-in-law, Eugene Dynes; and several nieces and nephews.
Mr. Coats was preceded in death by his parents, Bernard and Minnie Coats; his brothers, Bob, Junior and Raymond Coats; and a sister, Shirley Dynes.
Private family services will be held on Friday, July 10, followed by burial at Antioch Cemetery, Portland, Indiana, with full military honors.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Harris Chapel Church of the Nazarene, 10450 S. 544 East, Selma, IN 47383, or Alzheimer’s Association, online at alz.org.
Online condolences may be directed to the family at meeksmortuary.com.
In God we trust for all things.
Top Stories
9/11 NEVER FORGET Mobile Exhibit
Chartwells marketing
September 17, 2024 7:36 a.m.
Events
250 X 250 AD