Gene Coffman

Visitation:

Thursday, July 13, 2006, After 4:00 PM

Ohde Funeral Home, Coon Rapids

Funeral Service FRIDAY, JULY 14, 2006, 10:30 AM FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH, COON RAPIDS, IOWA

Officiating REVEREND C J LATHAM

Music LEANING ON THE EVERLASTING ARMS? TURN! TURN! TURN!? TYLER SCHWALLER, VOCALIST LOIS SHIRBROUN, ORGANIST

Casket Bearers MARK PINGREY MIKE ANTHOFER ERNIE MERRITT GARY TROUTMAN WILLIE THOMAS JOHN RICHARDS

Honorary Casket Bearers DICK TIGGES ED TIGGES MARVIN JOHNSON VAL TUEL FRANK PRESCOTT DEAN CORSON

Interment with Military Honors AMERICAN LEGION GURNEY PARKER POST #357 HIGHLAND TOWNSHIP CEMETERY, NEAR BAYARD, IOWA

Eugene Cecil, son of Cecil and Alice (Rogers) Coffman, was born December 26, 1930, in Guthrie County, Iowa. He attended grade school in Montieth and graduated from Guthrie Center High School in 1949. He worked in the paint department of Pats Store for Homes in Coon Rapids for two years before being drafted into the United States Marine Corps. While serving in the military, Gene was united in marriage with Donna Whitefield on July 6, 1953 in San Diego, CA. Gene served two years in the Marine Corps and was honorably discharged in January of 1954. He returned to work for Pats Store for Homes, which was then located in Nebraska. After three years in Nebraska, he and Donna moved to Coon Rapids, IA. Two children were born to this union and raised in Coon Rapids where Gene worked for Garst and Thomas Hybrid Seed Corn Company for 31 years. He then cared for the golf course in Coon Rapids for eight years. Gene loved camping, gardening and manicuring his lawn. He also enjoyed riding around in his red pickup truck. Gene was a member of the First Christian Church in Coon Rapids, Masonic Lodge and American Legion. In 1987 Genes fragile health forced him to retire from caring for the golf course. After back surgery in 2002 his health continued to deteriorate. Following several weeks in Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines, he died on Monday, July 10, 2006, at the age of 75 years, six months and 14 days. Preceding Gene in death are his parents and sister-in-law Darlene Sapp. He is survived by his wife Donna Coffman of Coon Rapids; daughter Regena and husband Michael Pickett of Des Moines; son Cris Coffman and wife Irene of Norwalk; six grandchildren: Tyler Pickett and wife Kristin, Mitchell Pickett, Griffin Pickett, Katie Coffman, Jake Coffman and Cooper Coffman; great-granddaughter Lillian; brother Leonard Coffman of Jefferson; two half-brothers David Coffman of New Providence and Duane Coffman of Grimes; half-sister Billie Jean Sandgran of Boone; brothers-in-law Richard Whitefield and wife Lois of Ames; and Don Sapp of Bullhead City, AZ; sister-in-law Delores Broussard of Alvin, TX; numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. Memorials in Genes honor may be made to the American Cancer Society-Relay for Life.