Larry D. Coffey
December 10th, 1940 - July 3rd, 2023
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Larry's Obituary
Trumpets sounded as Larry D Coffey, 82, transitioned up to Heaven surrounded by his loving family on Monday, July 3, 2023. Heaven gained a Fine Christian Man!
Friends may visit Sunday, July 9, from 1PM until 4PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, St Joseph. A private burial attended by Larry’s ever-loving family will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Larry’s name may be made to Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Ln, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to sign Larry’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Larry was born December 10, 1940, in Hoxi AR, to Deane and Mary (Thomas) Coffey. Larry attended St. Joseph High School graduating in 1959. As a teenager he worked as a bus boy at the Whitcomb Hotel and worked at Silver Beach. He tried many different jobs as an adult: Sears, Goldblatts, Leco, and Larry Bell Insurance until he found his niche -when he became a Letter Carrier for the St. Joseph Post Office. He worked there for over 30 years before retiring in 1995. Larry made many friends during his career. After retiring, he worked for Starks Funeral Home and Peace Lutheran Church.
Larry was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church. He worked wearing many hats assisting Pastor Koehneke and the congregation as the church was being formed.
On December 11, he married the love of his life, Karen M. (Ulrich). They spent their life raising their children, surrounding them with lots of love, laughter, and good music. They enjoyed attending their children’s events, listening to 50-60’s music and dancing (they even won a few dance contests). Larry was so dedicated to his family - his presence, his patience, and unselfishness will be forever be unmatched.
Larry had a catalog of song lyrics ready to take your words and turn them into a song at any given chance. He enjoyed working out in his meticulously landscaped yard, playing tennis, basketball, and bowling. Larry also enjoyed watching Notre Dame football, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan Era. Later in life he enjoyed watching the WWII documentaries, anything on the Smithsonian Channel and his favorite show-Gunsmoke. He was an avid collector, but his favorite was collecting Elvis Presley Memorabilia! He so enjoyed finding Elvis items! After Larry's retirement, he and Karen ventured into their next chapter together now lovingly being called Gram and Grandpa (Gpa). This was a title Larry held so close to his heart. His love of his grandchildren was evident in his words and actions day in and day out. His famous line to his Grandchildren was “We are off like a herd of turtles” and they would answer all together “but Grandpa!!! turtles are slow!" The bond he shares and memories made with each and every one of them will forever be remembered and cherished. Larry was always there for words of encouragement, unwavering support, and the ability to always make you laugh with a good joke.
Larry will forever be missed by his grateful family; son, Rodney Coffey of Baroda, MI; daughters, Rhonda Riggins of Bridgman, MI, Debra (Dan) Shrake of Beverly Hills, MI, Lisa (Todd) Ponton of Stevensville, MI and April (Tom) Argenzio of New Carlisle, IN; his special granddaughter, Haley (Ryan Moser) Lemons of New Carlisle, IN; grandsons, Rodney (Erica) Coffey Jr., Tyler Krumrie & family, JT (Laurel Whitehead) Ponton, Josh Ponton, Luke Ponton, Matthew and William Shrake; great-grandchildren, Cason Krumrie, Sienna Coffey, and Presley Moser; sister, Connie Fortier of Bridgman, MI; and niece and great-nieces, Kelly Rock & her children Liza Kelly, Ali Kelly, and Jesse Kelly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Deane and Mary; grandmother, Dettie Thomas; niece, Savannah “Annie” Kelly; father-in-law, Al Ulrich; and mother-in-law, Irene (Anderson).
“To the World you may be one Person, but to us You are the World” We love you and will miss you so much!
Friends may visit Sunday, July 9, from 1PM until 4PM at Starks & Menchinger Chapel, 2650 Niles Rd, St Joseph. A private burial attended by Larry’s ever-loving family will follow at a later date. In lieu of flowers, memorials in Larry’s name may be made to Caring Circle, 4025 Health Park Ln, St. Joseph, MI 49085. Those wishing to sign Larry’s Memory Book online may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.
Larry was born December 10, 1940, in Hoxi AR, to Deane and Mary (Thomas) Coffey. Larry attended St. Joseph High School graduating in 1959. As a teenager he worked as a bus boy at the Whitcomb Hotel and worked at Silver Beach. He tried many different jobs as an adult: Sears, Goldblatts, Leco, and Larry Bell Insurance until he found his niche -when he became a Letter Carrier for the St. Joseph Post Office. He worked there for over 30 years before retiring in 1995. Larry made many friends during his career. After retiring, he worked for Starks Funeral Home and Peace Lutheran Church.
Larry was a charter member of Peace Lutheran Church. He worked wearing many hats assisting Pastor Koehneke and the congregation as the church was being formed.
On December 11, he married the love of his life, Karen M. (Ulrich). They spent their life raising their children, surrounding them with lots of love, laughter, and good music. They enjoyed attending their children’s events, listening to 50-60’s music and dancing (they even won a few dance contests). Larry was so dedicated to his family - his presence, his patience, and unselfishness will be forever be unmatched.
Larry had a catalog of song lyrics ready to take your words and turn them into a song at any given chance. He enjoyed working out in his meticulously landscaped yard, playing tennis, basketball, and bowling. Larry also enjoyed watching Notre Dame football, the Chicago Bears, and the Chicago Bulls during the Michael Jordan Era. Later in life he enjoyed watching the WWII documentaries, anything on the Smithsonian Channel and his favorite show-Gunsmoke. He was an avid collector, but his favorite was collecting Elvis Presley Memorabilia! He so enjoyed finding Elvis items! After Larry's retirement, he and Karen ventured into their next chapter together now lovingly being called Gram and Grandpa (Gpa). This was a title Larry held so close to his heart. His love of his grandchildren was evident in his words and actions day in and day out. His famous line to his Grandchildren was “We are off like a herd of turtles” and they would answer all together “but Grandpa!!! turtles are slow!" The bond he shares and memories made with each and every one of them will forever be remembered and cherished. Larry was always there for words of encouragement, unwavering support, and the ability to always make you laugh with a good joke.
Larry will forever be missed by his grateful family; son, Rodney Coffey of Baroda, MI; daughters, Rhonda Riggins of Bridgman, MI, Debra (Dan) Shrake of Beverly Hills, MI, Lisa (Todd) Ponton of Stevensville, MI and April (Tom) Argenzio of New Carlisle, IN; his special granddaughter, Haley (Ryan Moser) Lemons of New Carlisle, IN; grandsons, Rodney (Erica) Coffey Jr., Tyler Krumrie & family, JT (Laurel Whitehead) Ponton, Josh Ponton, Luke Ponton, Matthew and William Shrake; great-grandchildren, Cason Krumrie, Sienna Coffey, and Presley Moser; sister, Connie Fortier of Bridgman, MI; and niece and great-nieces, Kelly Rock & her children Liza Kelly, Ali Kelly, and Jesse Kelly.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Deane and Mary; grandmother, Dettie Thomas; niece, Savannah “Annie” Kelly; father-in-law, Al Ulrich; and mother-in-law, Irene (Anderson).
“To the World you may be one Person, but to us You are the World” We love you and will miss you so much!
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