COFFING, William Brown - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

William Brown Coffing, who was 97 years, 11 months and 27 days old, died at 5:05 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 29, 1960, at the Margenette Nursing Home in Danville, Ill., where he had been a patient one months. For a number of years he had been confined to a wheel chair and his bed; however, he had kept abreast of current affairs. Mr. Coffing was born in Shawnee Township, Fountain County, Jan. 2, 1863, the son of Smith and Louisa Brown Coffing, and he had spent his entire life in this county. In 1887 he was married to Emma McMannomy, who preceded him in death in 1942. To this union were born four children, two sons: George, a Royal Air Force lieutenant killed during World War I, and McMannomy, who preceded him in death June 6, 1958; and two daughters, Mrs. Louise Bilsland and Mrs. Mary Dunlap, both of Covington. Also surviving Mr. Coffing are: one brother, S. Allen Coffing of Wyoming, Ohio; one sister, Mrs. Carrie Holderfer of Perry, Iowa; three grandchildren, James Dunlap of Florida, Mrs. Charles Green of Indianola, Ill., and Mrs. Wade Harrison of Attica; and nine great-grandchildren. One other grandchild, H. K. Bilsland II preceded him in death in 1957. Early in life Mr. Coffing united with the Methodist Church at Cherry Corner. He was a member of Fountain Lodge 60, F. & A. M. His chief occupation was farming but in 1898 he owned and operated the Covington Telephone Co. In 1901 with three other men, the late Dr. Wright, Edward Dunlap and Edward DeHaven, he went to Nome, Alaska prospecting for gold. Blessed with a wonderful memory, Mr. Coffing was able to relate many interesting experiences of his life and the history of Fountain County as he knew it during his long life. Prior to going to the Danville nursing home Mr. Coffing resided at 703 Sixth St. Funeral services were held at 2:30 o'clock Sunday afternoon at the Bodine & Shelby Funeral Home. The Rev. Donald Wade, pastor of the Covington Methodist Church, officiated. Burial, with Masonic services conducted by Fountain Lodge 60, was in Mt. Hope Cemetery. Pallbearers were: Robert Galloway, James Carter, Frank Shelby, Lyle D. Hegg, Joe Burrin and Charles Frey.