Mr. Donald E. Coates

Donald E. Coates, 87 of Bluffton, Indiana passed away at 4:35 p.m. on Friday, March 28, 2014 . Don Entered the U.S. Air Force as a cadet pilot in January of 1944. He attended Rose Hulman & Indiana University and the Navistar School of Management. As the war with Germany was ending Don’s pilot training ceased. He served in Japan as a communication sergeant. While being discharged at Fort Sheridan in Chicago, he re-met a neighbor and class mate, and a Army Cadet Nurse, Norma Claire Hedges at the Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing. They were married on June 1, 1947 in Bluffton and shared 66 ½ years together. Norma preceded Don in death on March 2, 2013. They had two sons. David A. Coates, who precedes his parents in death on February 28, 2011, and Kenneth D. (Mary) Coates of Indianapolis. He was very proud of his four grandsons, one granddaughter and five great-grandchildren. He is also survived by a daughter-in-law Patricia Coates of Newnan, Georgia. He was also preceded in death by his parents; Forrest W. & Winifred L. (Crowl) Coates and two brothers Richard Coates & Lewis Garrett. Don was employed at Navistar for 30 years starting as an assembler of motor trucks. He was promoted to management at the age of 23. He held many supervisory and staff positions culminating as the Superintendent of the heavy truck and Scout assembly . While employed at Navistar Don and his family lived in Ossian, Indiana as well as Fort Wayne, Indiana. After retirement from Navistar at the age of 49, he attained his real estate license in Florida and built many houses in Florida while living there for nearly 20 years. Don and his family built and remodeled lake properties at both Long and Crooked Lame where they enjoyed boating and skiing for many years. Don and his wife Norma were both pilots and owned a Piper Cherokee 180 and traveled over the United States to many points of interest. He was the happiest in this life, spending time with his bride, Norma Claire. Together, they were both a shining example of accomplishing their dreams as members of the Greatest Generation. He was also a proud member of the American Legion for 67 years and the Masonic Temple obtaining his 32nd degree. A Memorial Service will be held to celebrate Don’s life at 12 noon on Tuesday, April 8, 2014 in the Thoma/Rich, Lemler Funeral Home in Bluffton, with calling one hour prior to the service. Pastor Lon Johnson will officiate. Private family graveside services will take place at Oaklawn Cemetery in Ossian. In Lieu of Flowers, memorials may be made in Don’s memory to the Wounded Warrior Project through the funeral home. Friends can send online condolences to the Coates family at www.thomarich.com.

Mr. Donald E. Coates

October 31, 1926 - March 28, 2014