John Nelson Coats, Sr., John passed away peacefully on Thursday, October 4, 2007 at Eaton Community Hospice in Charlotte, Michigan.  He was a native of McAllen, Texas, formerly a resident of Battle Creek. and was a resident of Mulliken, Michigan at the time of his death. John served his country as a member of the United States Army and the Michigan Air National Guard from 1968 until his retirement in September 1995. John married Margaret Ohrens in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 9, 1987. John had a fascination with airplanes that began as a young boy and he loved all types of airplanes. He also enjoyed hunting, fishing, scuba-diving and playing his guitar. Survivors included John’s wife Margaret; 6 children, Gariann Miesenholder, Captain John N. Coats, Jr., , Jacob Coats, Dean Ohren, Nancy Archanbeau and Cathy Ranck; 14 grandchildren; a sister, Linda Pickett; and a brother, Charles.

Information originally published in the Battle Creek Enquirer on October 7, 2007

provided by Willard Library, Battle Creek, Michigan