Charles G. Coates, age 84, passed away at Good Samaritan Health Center, Merrill, after heroic efforts by the Merrill Fire Department at his home. He was born on March 10, 1937 in Loyal, WI to the late Gordon C. and Delana E. (Hills) Coates. On February 5, 1971, Charles and Kathy Schield were united in marriage in Waukegan, IL. They celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary earlier this year. He will be dearly missed. Growing up, Charles lived in many different cities as his dad was a manager of lumber yards and was sent to different places when the job finished. He attended and graduated from Waterloo High School. Charles went on to serve in the Army Reserve then joined the Navy where he was on the drill team and served on the Yorktown aircraft carrier and had his own radio program called “Morning Melodies”. When he came back home, Charles worked as a material handler for PDM Bridges. He was an avid outdoorsman and loved hunting, trapping, and fishing – he even had a small business making fishing lures. Charles had many hobbies, but his favorites were acrylic painting – landscapes and wildlife, especially-and rockhounding, where he would tumble stones until they shined. Charles was a writer as well, and charmed Kathy with several poems throughout the years. He was a passionate, strong man of faith who loved his family and loved to laugh. Charles was a forever prankster and jokester who loved to entertain, cheer on the Packers and just have fun…. And drink coffee! He will be deeply missed.
Survivors include his wife of over 50 years: Kathy Coates, Merrill; six children: Carissa “Carrie” (Shannon) Kraucyk, Carla (Chad) Emmer, Joshua Coates, Joel (SamiJo) Coates, Lisa (Brian) Holbrook and Jeff Jajnter; 23 grandchildren; 26 great-grandchildren; three siblings: Calvin (Miriam) Coates, Chari Coates and Wilma Coates. He was preceded in death by his parents, nephew Harvey Scott and a sister, Bertha.
Funeral Services for Charles will be held at 11:00 on Tuesday, October 5, 2021 at Hillside Church. Visitation will be from 4-8 PM Monday at Waid Funeral Home and again on Tuesday from 10 AM until the time of service at the church. Waid Funeral Home and Cremation Service is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.waidfuneral.com.