Charles Coffman

Charles S. Coffman, 86, of Lafayette, died at Franciscan Health, St. Elizabeth East Medical Center in Lafayette 12:03 AM Thursday October 27, 2011 where he had been a patient for the past 2 weeks. He was born near Otterbein, IN. in Benton County, IN. December 11, 1924, the son of the late Samuel and Icie Pearl Wilkinson Coffman. Mr. Coffman was a graduate of Oxford High School, and attended Indiana University at Bloomington, playing both high school and college basketball, and was a graduate of the Indiana College of Mortuary Science in 1951. He married Jean M. Oneal at Oxford, IN. May 26, 1951 and she survives. Charles served in the US Army as a medic during World War II, and was a member of The American Legion Post 11; 40 & 8, Voiture 364 and the VFW Post 1154 all in Lafayette. Mr. Coffman has been a real estate broker since 1952, and has owned and been president of Metropolitan Real Estate since 1965. He was a member of the Lafayette and Indiana Board of Realtors; National Association of Realtors and a former member of the Indiana Auctioneers Association. Charles was instrumental in helping Howard Johnson's locate in Lafayette on US 52, and in Arni's Restaurant locating to Market Square. Charles was a basketball referee for both high school and college basketball and was a member of the Indiana High School Referee's Association. He officiated games in the Missouri Valley and Mid-American Conferences, Purdue University scrimmage and Jr. varsity games; and officiated a NCAA first round tournament game in 1975. He retired from officiating in 1976. Surviving with his wife Jean are 3 daughters, Karen Culross of Colfax, IN.; Cheri Cooper (husband Tom) of Lafayette, IN. and Jackie Hicks (companion Mike Veach) of Lafayette, IN.; 2 sons, Ron Coffman of Indianapolis, IN. and Dwight Coffman of Lafayette, IN.; a sister Lindus Chambers (husband Ves) of Fowler, IN. and a special friend, Judiline Klotz. Also surviving are 9 grandchildren, Breanna Culross Tharp (husband Zach); Chad Cooper; Lindsey Libby (husband Josh); Jonathan Broady; Zachary and Christopher Hicks; Grace Coffman; Hunter Coffman and Brogan Coffman; and a great-granddaughter, Khayley Tharp. Charles was preceded in death by a granddaughter Gwendolyn Hicks, and by half brothers and half sisters. Friends may call at the HAHN-GROEBER FUNERAL HOME, 1104 Columbia St., Lafayette, from 11 AM until the service at 1:00 PM Saturday, Rev. Linda Sproull officiating. Interment in Tippecanoe Memory Gardens, with American Legion Post 11 military rites. If friends desire, memorials may be made to the charity of the donors choice. Memories and condolences may be left at www.hahngroeberfuneralhome.com