John C. Coats

John C. Coats, 84, of Poplar Bluff, Mo., a native of Rector, died Thursday, May 25, 2006, at the Cedargate Nursing Home.

Mr. Coats was born June 1, 1921, in Rector to the late Lige and Hazel (Frets) Coats. He was a member of the First United Methodist Church. He was a retired salesman for 25 years for Krey Packing Company in St. Louis. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, golf and, during college, played football for Southwest University.

Mr. Coats was an Army Air Force veteran of World War II in the 15th Division and flew 35 missions over Europe.

On June 19, 1944, he was married to Fernita A. Holcomb in El Paso, Texas, and she survives.

Also surviving are three daughters, Susan Coats and husband Philip Barenz of Sioux Falls, S.D., Joyce Whitworth of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., and Johnna Coats and husband Richard Garman of Belvedere, Calif.; one son, Phillip Coats and wife Christine Jensen of San Francisco, Calif.; two grandchildren, John Ryan Whitworth of St. Augustine, Fla., and Anna Garman of Belvedere, Calif.; one sister, Geraldine Runft of Springville, Tenn.; a niece, Sunnye McKeel of Springville, Tenn., and a nephew, Michael John Daley of Cincinnati, Ohio.

Funeral services were at 11 a.m. Monday, May 29, at Cotrell Funeral Home chapel with Rev. Kurt Schuermann officiating. Burial was in Woodland Heights Cemetery in Rector.