1918
Jean
2013
Jean Coffman
December 13, 1918 — January 21, 2013
Jean Burr Osborn Coffman died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, January 21, 2013. She spent 94 years living a fascinating and loving life. She was born on December 13, 1918 to Horace B. Burr and Goldie Lucille Brakes Burr. Goldie died within weeks, so Jean was raised and adored by her grandparents, Elijah and Nettie Brakes in Goshen and Lake Wawasee, Indiana. Jean was quite athletic spending her younger years swimming and ice-skating at Lake Wawasee.
At age 18, at a dance hall on Lake Wawasee she met Joseph Arthur Osborn. Six weeks later they eloped and remained happily married for 49 years. They found pleasure in many activities including sailing their boat to the Bahamas, travelling to Europe, flying their plane to Chicago and back (she had her pilots license), playing golf, and enjoying dinners with friends at the Meshingomesia Country Club. They enjoyed swimming, tennis, and cookouts with friends at their country house. Jeans' greatest passions were bird watching and gardening. She completed her Master Gardner course at Ball State University. Loving pets, she always had a cat or dog or two. She excelled at many activities such as needlepoint, amateur painting, and bridge. She was an avid reader. She was an active in Tri Kappa and the Research Club. Early in her marriage, she became involved in the Republican Party and was a delegate to the Eisenhower Convention. In her later years she changed her mind and voted Democratic. She always had an open curious mind and was anxious to learn new things.
They had three children, Thomas A. Osborn, John B. Osborn, and Elaine Osborn Emmet, all of whom survive her. All three have been blessed by having a mother who was always there for them and always encouraging them to achieve their goals. Joseph Osborn died June 21, 1987.
About a year later, a family friend of 40 years, William Coffman, long a widower, proposed to Jean. They were married in 1988. They enjoyed travelling and usually went to golf resorts, especially to Hilton Head. They also took cross-country trips by train highlighted by one trip to Seattle, WA and Victoria Island. Happily, Bill brought to this marriage his four adult children and their families: Katie Coffman Overall, Ann Coffman Turrie, John Coffman, and Rob Coffman. This blended family spent many great moments together with Jean.
After Bill's death in 1998, Jean lived in her home very independently and enjoyed many occasions with friends. About two years ago, she moved in with her son, John, who devotedly took care of her wishes when needed.
Predeceasing Jean were her two bothers-in-law, George P. Osborn, Jack Feighner and her sister-in-law Marilyn Osborn Feighner. Surviving Jean is her other sister-in-law, Marilyn T. Osborn, and the seven families of her nieces and nephews: John Feighner, Sara Feighner, Cathleen Osborn Zisser, Kim Osborn Grant, Arthur Osborn, Mark Osborn and Preston Von Arx; and Brother Chuck (Jane) Burr.
Surviving Jean is son-in-law, Herman L. Emmett III and daughter-in-law, Patricia Spencer (Mrs. Thomas Osborn) and brother, Chuck (Jane) Burr. Eight grandchildren also survive: Ezra Osborn Hays, George Osborn Jensen, Eric Osborn Skager, Joseph Osborn Skager, Angela Osborn (DJ) Holt, Brian Jay Osborn, Lilly Osborn Emmet and Spencer Osborn Emmet; and several great-grandchildren.
Friends may call Friday, January 25, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013, at Raven-Choate Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Estates of Serenity, Marion, Indiana.
Instead of flowers, Jean would prefer that donations be made to Marion-Grant County Humane Society, 505 S. Miller Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46952.
Online condolences may be made at www.ravenchoate.com
At age 18, at a dance hall on Lake Wawasee she met Joseph Arthur Osborn. Six weeks later they eloped and remained happily married for 49 years. They found pleasure in many activities including sailing their boat to the Bahamas, travelling to Europe, flying their plane to Chicago and back (she had her pilots license), playing golf, and enjoying dinners with friends at the Meshingomesia Country Club. They enjoyed swimming, tennis, and cookouts with friends at their country house. Jeans' greatest passions were bird watching and gardening. She completed her Master Gardner course at Ball State University. Loving pets, she always had a cat or dog or two. She excelled at many activities such as needlepoint, amateur painting, and bridge. She was an avid reader. She was an active in Tri Kappa and the Research Club. Early in her marriage, she became involved in the Republican Party and was a delegate to the Eisenhower Convention. In her later years she changed her mind and voted Democratic. She always had an open curious mind and was anxious to learn new things.
They had three children, Thomas A. Osborn, John B. Osborn, and Elaine Osborn Emmet, all of whom survive her. All three have been blessed by having a mother who was always there for them and always encouraging them to achieve their goals. Joseph Osborn died June 21, 1987.
About a year later, a family friend of 40 years, William Coffman, long a widower, proposed to Jean. They were married in 1988. They enjoyed travelling and usually went to golf resorts, especially to Hilton Head. They also took cross-country trips by train highlighted by one trip to Seattle, WA and Victoria Island. Happily, Bill brought to this marriage his four adult children and their families: Katie Coffman Overall, Ann Coffman Turrie, John Coffman, and Rob Coffman. This blended family spent many great moments together with Jean.
After Bill's death in 1998, Jean lived in her home very independently and enjoyed many occasions with friends. About two years ago, she moved in with her son, John, who devotedly took care of her wishes when needed.
Predeceasing Jean were her two bothers-in-law, George P. Osborn, Jack Feighner and her sister-in-law Marilyn Osborn Feighner. Surviving Jean is her other sister-in-law, Marilyn T. Osborn, and the seven families of her nieces and nephews: John Feighner, Sara Feighner, Cathleen Osborn Zisser, Kim Osborn Grant, Arthur Osborn, Mark Osborn and Preston Von Arx; and Brother Chuck (Jane) Burr.
Surviving Jean is son-in-law, Herman L. Emmett III and daughter-in-law, Patricia Spencer (Mrs. Thomas Osborn) and brother, Chuck (Jane) Burr. Eight grandchildren also survive: Ezra Osborn Hays, George Osborn Jensen, Eric Osborn Skager, Joseph Osborn Skager, Angela Osborn (DJ) Holt, Brian Jay Osborn, Lilly Osborn Emmet and Spencer Osborn Emmet; and several great-grandchildren.
Friends may call Friday, January 25, 2013, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Raven-Choate Funeral Home, 1202 Kem Road, Marion, Indiana.
Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, January 26, 2013, at Raven-Choate Funeral Home. Burial will follow in Estates of Serenity, Marion, Indiana.
Instead of flowers, Jean would prefer that donations be made to Marion-Grant County Humane Society, 505 S. Miller Avenue, Marion, Indiana 46952.
Online condolences may be made at www.ravenchoate.com
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