Gerald Coats

Gerald Coats, age 85, of Marshall, died at Tendercare of Marshall on Thursday morning, Feb. 21, 2008. Gerald was born on May 23, 1922 at the family''s farm home in Eckford Township to Albert and Ethel Inez (Dupes) Coats. His mother died when he was 10 and his sister Ruth was instrumental in raising him after that. He grew up in the Marshall area and attended Marshall High School until 10th grade when he quit to help support his large family . In the early 1970''s Gerald returned to Marshall Adult Education and earned his high school diploma. He served his country during WWII in the U.S. Navy. Serving in the Pacific Theater he served on the USS Nashville, a light cruiser. After the war he returned to Marshall. He was married on July 1, 1945 to Wenona B. Behnke. Their marriage later ended in divorce. He was a skilled tool and die maker. Gerald worked at Dye Products in Battle Creek as a tool and die maker for 20 years. Gerald then worked at Clark Equipment for 5 years until it closed. He moved to Hartford and purchased the Main Tavern . He owned and operated it for 20 years until his retirement in 1996. He moved back to Marshall then and has lived here since. Gerald is a member of the Claude E. Hale Post #4073 Veterans Of Foreign Wars and Disabled American Veterans. He enjoyed watching Big Time Wrestling on television. Gerald was an avid golfer. Surviving are his sons, James (Vicky) Coats of Marshall and David Coats of Kalamazoo; two grandsons Mark (Vera)Lautzenheiser and Ryan (Melissa) Lautzenheiser; his sister Ruth Gibson of Marshall; and many nieces, nephew, great-nieces and great-nephews. He was preceded in death by his 6 brothers Ralph, Paul, Lloyd, Philip, Leonard and Arthur Coats, and 4 sisters Laura Weaver, Margaret Fountain, Marjorie Webber and Elsie Matheson. Friends may call at Craig K. Kempf Funeral Home on Sunday from 1PM to 8PM, where family will be present to greet friends and share memories 1PM-3PM and 5PM-7PM. Funeral services celebrating his life will be held on Monday, Feb. 25 at 11AM at Kempf Funeral Home with Pastor Wilbur Wagenschutz of Albion First Baptist Church officiating. Interment will follow at Floral Lawn Memorial Gardens with military honors by Claude E. Hale Post #4073.Friends who wish may make memorial contributions to Calhoun County Humane Society. Assistance with memorials available at Kempf Funeral Home.