genealogy--coughlen

1. William² Coughlen ((Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 02 Feb 1820 in Lowell, MA, and died 11 Apr 1896 in Indianapolis, IN. He married Harriet Leah Davis 05 Nov 1844 in Fitchburg, MA, daughter of Jonathon Davis and Ruth Gardner. She was born 29 Apr 1828 in Boston, MA, and died 10 Mar 1906 in Indianapolis, IN.

According to Irene (Braman) Coughlen William and Harriet had servants to do housework, child care, yard work and a carriage driver. The Coughlens were amongst the wealthy. Harriet did lots of handwork such as embroidery and drawn work. This is supported by the census records of 1870 and 1880 where three servants/domestics are listed within the household in each census.

William Coughlen was an Indianapolis City Commissioner 1866-1867. He was President of the Indianapolis Elevator Company "A", incorporated in 1872 under the laws of the state of Indiana, with a capital stock of $100,000, which was subsequently increased to $125,000. This company transacted a warehouse business confined exclusively to the storage and transfer of grain. This elevator was the largest of the four elevators which the city contained at the time.

Here is the text of his obituary that was obtained from the Indianapolis Star, Indianapolis, Indiana.

WILLIAM COUGHLEN DEAD

William Coughlen died at 12:15 P.M. Saturday, at his home, No. 400 Capital avenue, north.

He was born at Lowell, Mass., February 2, 1820, and in his youth perfected himself in manufacturing woolen goods, being employed successively at Lowell, Roxbury and Fitchburg, Mass. He was married in November, 1845, and removed to this city in the spring of 1856, when he entered into partnership with George Merritt in the woolen mill, which bore the firm name of Merritt & Coughlen, from that time until 1881, when Mr Coughlen retired. This business, from a small beginning, grew to be one of the best known mills in the West.

In 1878 he became president of the Indiana National Bank. This position he held until V. T. Malott, who bought a majority of the stock, was elected president, when Mr. Coughlen was made vice-president. He held this position until January, 1894, when he retired from active business because of increasing infirmities. He was a director of the Indiana National Bank from the date of the organization of the bank until his death. He was also a stockholder in the Indiana Bedford Stone Company, and in Indianapolis

elevator A, and owned a considerable amount of business and dwelling properties in this city.

He leaves a widow and six children--Mrs. John E. Cleland, William F. Coughlen, Edward M. D. Coughlen, Mrs. E. L. McKee, Harry G. Coughlen and Miss Macy Coughlen.

For several years Mr. Coughlen was a well-known figure about the bank, with a pleasant word for all comers. For the past two years he was incapacitated for business, but he was confined to his house for only a couple of weeks preceding his death, the immediate cause of which was uremic poisoning and heart failure.

The funeral will take place at the family home this afternoon. [end]

The following resolution was adopted by the Indiana National Bank shortly after William's death. Dated May 18, 1896, it reads,

At a meeting of the Directors of the Indiana National Bank the following resolutions were adopted:

"The members of the Board of Directors of the Indiana National Bank deeply regret the loss of their friend and associate, Mr. William Coughlen, who died on April 11th, and while expressing their sincere sympathy with his family in their bereavement, desire to place upon record their high appreciation of his character.

From the organization of the Bank in 1865 until his death, William Coughlen was continuously a faithful member of the Board of Directors, serving also as President and Vice President for nearly twenty years, and never faltering in his devotion to the Bank's interests. His services were rendered especially valuable by the excellence of his judgment, and by his unerring estimate of character.

Mr. Coughlen was a man of unswerving integrity, an (illegible)............. friendly and cordial in his relations with his associates and with the patrons of the Bank. Both in business and private life his character was above keeping.

V. T. Malott, President

The document carries a number at the top, No 984. and has letterhead signatures of V.T.Malott, President, Geo. B. Yandes, Vice Pres., E.B.Porter, Cashier.

Children of William Coughlen and Harriet Davis are:

+ 2 i. Elizabeth "Libbie" Josephine³ Coughlen, born 01 Oct 1846 in Fitchburg, MA; died 08 Feb 1919 in Indianapolis, IN.

3 ii. William Franklin "Frank" Coughlen, born 10 Dec 1848 in Roxbury, MA; died 03 Apr 1915 in Indianapolis, IN. He married Anna Louise Alloways 11 Jan 1899 in Indianapolis, IN; born 11 May 1866; died 04 Jan 1909 in Los Angelos, CA.

4 iii. Edward Morton Davis Coughlen, born 25 May 1853 in Roxbury, MA; died 04 Apr 1900 in Oxford, OH.

+ 5 iv. Emma Martina Coughlen, born 16 Jun 1857 in Indianapolis, IN; died 16 Sep 1896 in Indianapolis, IN.

+ 6 v. Harry Gaston Coughlen, Sr, born 11 Aug 1861 in Indianapolis, IN; died 25 Mar 1942 in Indianapolis, IN.

7 vi. Harriet Coughlen, born 11 Aug 1861 in Indianapolis, IN; died 12 Aug 1861 in Indianapolis, IN.

8 vii. William "Willis" Gardner Coughlen, born 01 Dec 1863 in Indianapolis, IN; died 26 Sep 1873 in Indianapolis, IN.

9 viii. Harriet Macy Coughlen, born 10 Sep 1867 in Indianapolis, IN; died 18 Jan 1925 in Indianapolis, IN.

2. Elizabeth "Libbie" Josephine³ Coughlen (William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 01 Oct 1846 in Fitchburg, MA, and died 08 Feb 1919 in Indianapolis, IN. She married John Edward Clelland 29 Jun 1870 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN. He was born 30 Dec 1840, and died 27 Dec 1920.

Children of Elizabeth Coughlen and John Clelland are:

10 i. Harriet Maria⁴ Clelland, born 21 Apr 1873; died ABT 1920. She married Dr. John Allan Blair 20 Dec 1897 in Indianapolis, IN; died 27 Jan 1945.

11 ii. John Franklin Clelland, born 18 Sep 1876; died 07 Jul 1956. He married May J. Ryan 31 Aug 1912 in Indianapolis, IN.

12 iii. Ethel Elizabeth Clelland, born 25 May 1878; died 22 Jun 1963.

5. Emma Martina³ Coughlen (William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 16 Jun 1857 in Indianapolis, IN, and died 16 Sep 1896 in Indianapolis, IN. She married Edward Lodge McKee 08 May 1877 in Indianapolis, IN, son of Robert McKee and Celine Lodge. He was born 13 Mar 1856, and died 21 Sep 1929.

Children of Emma Coughlen and Edward McKee are:

13 i. Macy Celine⁴ McKee, born 13 May 1879 in Indianapolis, IN; died 29 Dec 1883 in Indianapolis, IN.

14 ii. Elizabeth Lodge McKee, born 23 Feb 1885 in Indianapolis, IN; died 14 Jan 1892 in Indianapolis, IN.

+ 15 iii. Edward Lodge McKee, Jr, born 19 Jun 1893 in Indianapolis, IN; died 08 Jan 1977.

6. Harry Gaston³ Coughlen, Sr (William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 11 Aug 1861 in Indianapolis, IN, and died 25 Mar 1942 in Indianapolis, IN. He married Bertha Witt 17 Oct 1883 in Indianapolis, IN, daughter of Bennett Witt and Lucy Carpenter. She was born 25 Dec 1861 in Dublin, IN, and died 13 Jun 1935 in Indianapolis, IN.

Notes on the Life of Harry Coughlen, Sr.

Harry Gaston Coughlen (later Senior) was born a twin but his twin, Harriet died the next day. After graduating high school he went to Wabash College for one year where he studied law and was a Beta Theta Pi. He had wanted to be a Mechanical Engineer but was discouraged by family.

His father, William Coughlen purchased half interest in Bedford Stone Co. for him but Harry let his partner cheat him out of the business. Then his father set him up in a wholesale grocery business but that did not fare well either. He then worked for the Union Trust Co for several years in real estate before going into the storage business.

Harry married Bertha Witt on 17 October 1883 in Indianapolis, Indiana. They were married by Bertha Witt's cousin, Rev George Carpenter, per the Coughlen family Bible. Great Aunt Bertha Coughlen Shelhorn said Rev George Carpenter was from southwestern Ohio. Witnesses at the wedding were Worth Merritt and Jessie Fisher.

Notes on the Life of Bertha Witt Coughlen

Bertha Witt graduated from Shortridge High School in Indianapolis, Inidana. Her granddaughter, Bertha Jane Coughlen was her namesake.

Children of Harry Coughlen and Bertha Witt are:

+ 16 i. William Frank⁴ Coughlen, Sr, born 21 Jul 1884 in Indianapolis,Marion Co., IN; died 25 Apr 1967 in Middletown, Butler Co., OH.

+ 17 ii. Bennett Witt Coughlen, born 14 Nov 1885; died 18 Apr 1973 in Saint Louis, Missouri 63114.

+ 18 iii. Gardner Cleland Coughlen, Sr, born 17 Mar 1887 in Indianapolis, IN; died 29 Oct 1953 in Green Bay, WI.

+ 19 iv. Merritt Beery Coughlen, born 22 Aug 1891 in Indianapolis, IN; died 29 Sep 1959 in Houston, TX.

+ 20 v. Jeanette Coughlen, born 28 Aug 1893 in Indianapolis, IN; died 21 Mar 1962 in Indianapolis, IN.

+ 21 vi. Bertha Coughlen, born 17 Feb 1897 in Indianapolis, IN; died 12 Oct 1998 in Kokomo, IN.

+ 22 vii. Harry Gaston Coughlen, Jr, born 14 Sep 1902 in Indianapolis, IN; died 28 Oct 1983 in St Francis Hospital Center, Beech Grove, IN.

15. Edward Lodge⁴ McKee, Jr (Emma Martina³ Coughlen, William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 19 Jun 1893 in Indianapolis, IN, and died 08 Jan 1977. He married Harriett Bennett 06 Jan 1933. She died 1976.

Notes for Edward Lodge McKee, Jr.

His brother, James Robert McKee married Mary S. Harrison (b. 3 Apr., 1858), daughter of Ex-President Benjamin Harrison, and great granddaughter of William Henry Harrison, 9th President of the United States. (For Harrison Family see "Presidents of the United States," by James Grant Wilson (1886), Appleton and Co., Publishers.)

Child of Edward McKee and Harriett Bennett is:

23 i. (Unknown)⁵ McKee.

16. William Frank⁴ Coughlen, Sr (Harry Gaston³, William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 21 Jul 1884 in Indianapolis,Marion Co., IN, and died 25 Apr 1967 in Middletown, Butler Co., OH. He married Lillian Peelle 24 Jun 1908 in Indianapolis, Whitewater Twp., IN, daughter of Charles Peelle and Josephine Ullrick. She was born 19 Oct 1885 in Wayne Co., IN, and died 09 Oct 1967 in Butler Co., OH.

Notes on William Frank Coughlen, Sr.

Went to Law School. Became Executive with the Art Institute of Indianapolis, IN. Later became a trust officer of the First National Bank of Cincinnati, OH until retirement.

Children of William Coughlen and Lillian Peelle are:

24 i. Elizabeth⁵ Coughlen, born 30 Apr 1911 in Indianapolis, IN; died 26 May 1992 in Cincinnati, OH. She married Thomas Harry Wiebel 01 May 1933 in Cincinnati, OH; born 01 Jul 1909; died Jul 2003.

25 ii. William Frank Coughlen, Jr, born 31 Aug 1913; died 29 May 1976 in Clermont County, OH. He married Mary Elizabeth Calvert 17 Sep 1935 in Cincinnati, OH; born 28 Sep 1913.

They had two children (both living 2019). Spouse of son, Marilyn Louise Rutherford, b. 17 October 1939 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, m. 17 September 1960 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, d. 18 January 2018 in Baytown, Texas. [Obituary in Word Document]

26 iii. Charles Peelle Coughlen, Sr, born 15 Aug 1915; died 26 Sep 1985 in Emporia, Lyon, Kansas 66801. He married Doris Waffenschmidt 24 Jun 1936 in Cincinnati, OH; born 05 Sep 1915 in IL; died 19 Feb 1994 in Alameda Co., CA.

27 iv. James Frederick Coughlen, born 10 Jun 1919; died 06 Dec 1966. He married Lucille (Unknown).

Notes for James Frederick Coughlen

From Ancestry.com newspaper collection, Dixon Evening Telegraph (Dixon, Illinois), 1951 May 2, Pg 6

Navy Fliers OK After Training Plane Crashes

Decatur, (AP) -- Two navy pilots escaped injury yesterday in a crash-landing of a navy SNJ-F training plane in a field at the intersections of Routes 41 and 173 north of Waukegan.

The men are Lt. JG., R. B. Taley, 26, Waco, Tex., and Lt. JG., J. F. Coughlen, 31, Norwood, O. Talley piloted the plane.

Talley said he was at 2,000 feet when the engine stopped and he had to land. Witnesses said the engine was on fire.

The pilots were on a routine training flight from Glenview, Ill., naval air base.

28 v. Robert Harry Coughlen, born 08 Mar 1922; died 10 Dec 2002 in Prophetstown, Whiteside, Illinois 61277. He married (1) Ann Jeannette Tierney 1943 in Cincinnati, OH; born 08 Oct 1922. He married (2) Darlene Church Aft. 1959; born 12 Jan 1928; died Dec 1990 in Probably Illinois.

17. Bennett Witt⁴ Coughlen (Harry Gaston³, William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 14 Nov 1885, and died 18 Apr 1973 in Saint Louis, Missouri 63114. He married Eva Alice Castle 17 Jun 1909 in St. Louis, MO. She was born 03 Jan 1890, and died 09 Apr 1975.

Children of Bennett Coughlen and Eva Castle are:

29 i. Alice Jeannette⁵ Coughlen, born 08 Feb 1912 in St. Louis, MO; died 1982. She married Robert Harry Grossenbacher 14 Aug 1931.

30 ii. Louise Dorothy Coughlen, born 15 Apr 1914. She married Charles L. Clement 16 Jun 1935.

18. Gardner Cleland⁴ Coughlen, Sr (Harry Gaston³, William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 17 Mar 1887 in Indianapolis, IN, and died 29 Oct 1953 in Green Bay, WI. He married (1) Genevieve Mary Dewey 20 Apr 1912 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL. She was born 22 Feb 1888 in Berwyn, IL, and died 19 Nov 1929 in Chicago, IL. He married (2) Inez Dewey 04 Jan 1926. She was born 25 Feb 1893, and died 22 Oct 1962.

Obituary - Gardner Coughlen

Services for Gardner C. Coughlen, 65, former Indianapolis architect, will be at 2 P.M. tomorrow at Green Bay, Wis., where he died yesterday. Burial will be there.

Born here, Mr. Coughlen was a graduate of Manual High School and attended the University of Illinois. Here he was associated with the architectural firm of the late Herbert Foltz before moving to Chicago in 1935. He went to Green Bay several years ago.

Survivors are the widow, Inez Coughlen; a son, Gardner Coughlen Jr.; two daughters, Mrs. Wilbur Young, Chicago, and Mrs. Donald Yeager, Miami, Fla.; four brothers and two sisters.

Children of Gardner Coughlen and Genevieve Dewey are:

31 i. Gardner Cleland⁵ Coughlen, Jr, born 12 Dec 1913; died 13 Aug 1990 in Kirkland, Washington 98006. He married Lucille Jane Gardner 26 Nov 1935; born 12 Feb 1916; died 04 Jul 2005 in Cordova, Shelby, Tennessee 38016.

32 ii. Maralynn Coughlen, born 31 Dec 1917 in Chicago, IL. She married Wilfred "Bill" Samuel Young, Jr 11 May 1940 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; born 02 Jan 1915 in Chicago, Cook Co., IL; died 18 Feb 1984 in Chicago, IL.

33 iii. Donald Luman Coughlen, born 16 May 1921; died 20 Nov 1929.

Child of Gardner Coughlen and Inez Dewey is:

34 i. Maryanne⁵ Coughlen, born 17 Feb 1932. She married Donald C. Yeager.

19. Merritt Beery⁴ Coughlen (Harry Gaston³, William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 22 Aug 1891 in Indianapolis, IN, and died 29 Sep 1959 in Houston, TX. He married Amelia Josephine Wilson 01 Aug 1917 in Indianapolis, Marion Co., IN, daughter of (Unknown) Wilson and Georgetta (Unknown). She was born 12 Oct 1889 in Indianapolis, Indiana, and died 11 Jul 1956 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Notes for Merritt Beery Coughlen

Merritt was named for friend of his Dad's, Worth Merritt, whose father, George Merritt, was partner with Wm Coughlen in Merritt & Coughlen Woolen Mills for making blankets and woolen materials. Merritt worked for his father in the storage business for awhile, then moved to Chicago, IL. He became an estimator for a moving & storage company, then suffered ill health which required him to quit working. Later, upon his death, they discovered he had a brain tumor.

_____________________________

Obituary - Merritt B. Coughlen

Funeral services for Merritt B. Coughlen, 68 years old, Houston, Tex., a native of Indianapolis, will be at 10:30 A.M. Thursday in the Shirley Brothers Irving Hill Chapel, with burial in Crown Hill Cemetery.

Mr. Coughlen, a furniture packer, died Saturday at Houston. He was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars.

Survivors include a son, Merritt W. Coughlen, and a daughter, Mrs. Doris French, both of Houston, and five grandchildren.

Notes for Amelia J. Coughlen

Amelia was a teacher in the Indianapolis Public Schools for about ten years before her children were born.

Obituary - Coughlen, Amelia J

Obituary - Coughlen, Amelia J., age 66 years of 98 N. Layman Ave., wife of Merritt B. Coughlen; mother of Merritt W. Coughlen and Mrs. Doris French, Houston Tex.; daughter of Mrs. Georgetta Wilson; sister of Mrs. Charles W. Yount and George G. Wilson, and five grandchildren, passed away Wednesday. Funeral Saturday, 10:30 A.M. from Shirley Bros. Irving Hill Chapel. 5377 E. Wash. St. Calling any time.

____________________________________

Children of Merritt Coughlen and Amelia Wilson are:

35 i. Merritt Wilson⁵ Coughlen, born 17 Nov 1920 in Indianapolis, IN; died 20 Sep 1995 in Indianapolis, IN. He married Elma Nowlin Baker 30 Dec 1945; born 24 Aug 1921 in Indianapolis, Indiana; died 02 Jul 1991 in Indianapolis, Indiana.

36 ii. Doris Coughlen, born 18 Apr 1923 in Indianapolis, Indiana; died 14 Aug 1999 in New Braunfels, TX. She married Paul D. French; died Unknown.

20. Jeanette⁴ Coughlen (Harry Gaston³, William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 28 Aug 1893 in Indianapolis, IN, and died 21 Mar 1962 in Indianapolis, IN. She married John "Jack" Elwood Silberman 23 Jun 1917. He was born 30 Aug 1888, and died 10 Jun 1967 in Indianapolis, IN.

Obituary - John E. Silberman

Rites for John E. Silberman, 78, 5124 Winthrop. will be at 11:30 A.M. tomorrow in Flanner & Buchanan Broad Ripple Mortuary. He died Saturday in a nursing home. Ten years ago he retired as an accountant for Spickelmier Industries. He was a member of Fairview Presbyterian Church.

Obituary - Jeannette Silberman

Services for Jeannette Coughlen Silberman, 68, 5124 Winthrop, will be at 1:30 P.M. tomorrow in Flanner & Buchanan Broad Ripple Mortuary, with burial in Crown Hill Cemetery. She died yesterday in a nursing home.

Born in Indianapolis, Mrs. Silberman formerly taught in Indianapolis public schools. She was a graduate of Shortridge High School and the old Indianapolis Normal School and a member of Fairview Presbyterian Church and the Clio Club.

Survivors are the husband, John E. Silberman; two daughters, Mrs. Wilbur H. Schumacher, Indianapolis, and Mrs. George F. Wilson, Mishawaka; a sister, Mrs. Robert Shelhorn, Indianapolis; three brothers, William Coughlen, Amelia, O.; Benjamin Coughlen, St. Louis, Mo., and Harry G. Coughlen Jr., Indianapolis, and four grandchildren.

Children of Jeanette Coughlen and John Silberman are:

37 i. Joanne⁵ Silberman, born 20 Jan 1920; died 1999. She married Wilbur H. Schumacher 1943; died Sep 1972.

38 ii. Mary Luella Silberman, born 08 Jul 1922; died 03 Oct 1964. She married George F. Wilson; died 15 Jan 1964 in Mishawaka, IN.

Mary Lu died with her two children. (Newspaper clipping in Coughlen family bible) They died as a result of carbon monoxide poisoning from car exhaust (hose run into the house). Her husband had died of a heart attack earlier that yar and she was despondent.

Clipping:

Widow, Sons Found Dead Mishawaka, Ind. (AP)

A young widow and her two sons were found dead in their home today with a hose leading from the family car's exhaust pipe to a bedroom hallway.

Police said the three apparently had died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

The car ignition was turned on and the fuel tank was empty.

The mother, Mary Lou Wilson, was the widow of Geoge Wilson, Mishawaka High School baseball and wrestling coach.

Police quoted neighbors as saying she had been despondent since her husband's death last Jan. 15.

Killed with her were her sons, Mark, 10, and Randall, 7.

Police said the car was parked in a basement garage, with the hose leading upstairs to a hallway near the bedrooms.

George Wilson died at home of heart attack at age 43.

Indianapolis News - Wilson Rites in Mishawaka

Rites for George F. Wilson, 43, baseball coach and a teacher at Mishawaka High School since 1948, will be held tomorrow.

Wilson, who taught social studies and also was an assistant football and wrestling coach, died Wednesday at his home here.

Wilson, past president of the Mishawaka Exchange Club, graduated from Wabash College in 1942 and received a master's degree from Butler University in 1953.

Survivors include the widow, Mary Lu; two sons, at home; his mother, Mrs. Della Wood, East Chicago, and three sisters.

The funeral will be at 1 P.M. tomorrow at the First Presbyterian Church.

21. Bertha⁴ Coughlen (Harry Gaston³, William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 17 Feb 1897 in Indianapolis, IN, and died 12 Oct 1998 in Kokomo, IN. She married Robert Hamilton Shelhorn 30 May 1918 in Marion Co., IN. He was born 11 Jul 1896 in Greensburg, IN, and died 11 May 1978 in Indianapolis, IN.

Children of Bertha Coughlen and Robert Shelhorn are:

39 i. Harriett⁵ Shelhorn, born 14 Apr 1920 in Indianapolis, IN. She married Louis Harlan Pfaff 14 Feb 1943 in Indianapolis, IN; born ABT 19 Sep 1919. Harlan died 2 Nov 2006 in Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Obituary for Harlan Pfaff, The Messenser, Fort Dodge, Iowa:

HARLAN PFAFF

Harlan Pfaff, 87, of Fort Dodge, died November 2, 2006, at Trinity Regional Medical Center.

Following cremation, memorial services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 17, at the First Presbyterian Church. The family will receive friends in the Church Commons from 4 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, November 16. The staff of Gunderson Funeral Home & Cremation Services is caring for Harlan and his family. Harlan is survived by his wife Harriett; his children, Thomas (Jean) Pfaff, Glen Ellyn, IL; and Louann (Doug) Peterson, Bettendorf; four grandchildren, Tricia (Jay) Swanstrom, Tammy (Richard) Daugherty, Gregory Peterson and Andrew Peterson; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Louis Harlan Pfaff, the son of Louis and Florence (Murphey) Pfaff, was born September 19, 1919, in Fort Dodge. He graduated from Fort Dodge Senior High School in 1937. Harlan attended Iowa State University and then received his degree in Business Administration from Butler University in Indianapolis. Harlan served as a Captain in the field artillery for the U.S. Army during World War II. On Feb. 14, 1943, Harlan was united in marriage to Harriett Shelhorn in Indianapolis. Following his discharge, Harlan was employed with Pfaff Bakery from 1946 to 1955. He was with A.E. Sergeant CPA from 1955-1967 and then was with First American Bank from 1967 to 1981, from where he retired as Vice President and Trust Officer. Harlan was a member of First Presbyterian Church where he served as church elder and was a former choir director. Harlan received an Outstanding Young Business Man award from the Fort Dodge Jaycees, he received a Citation for Meritorious Service from the Rotary Foundation; a Lifetime Achievement Award from Alliance for Philanthropy and a Service Above Self Award from the Fort Dodge Rotary. Harlan was past-president of the Rotary Club and Past District Governor of District 5970 of Rotary International. He was a life member of Sigma Chi Fraternity and was a member of all Masonic orders and Za Ga Zig Shrine. Harlan served on the board of directors for the Jaycees, Chamber of Commerce, Harvest Festival, YMCA, Fort Dodge Historical Association, Community Chest, United Way, the Fort Dodge Symphony Association, Fort Dodge Country Club, Trinity Health Foundation, Friendship Haven Inc., and the Friendship Haven Memorial Foundation. Harlan was honored with a Webster County Super Achiever Award and was proud to be included in the Frontier Days parade. Harlan chaired the Rotary project committee which commissioned the Karl King Memorial Statue recently erected in Karl King Memorial Park.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to First Presbyterian Church or to the Friendship Haven Memorial Foundation.

40 ii. Robert Hamilton Shelhorn, Jr, born 20 Jan 1922 in Indianapolis, IN; died 08 Feb 1992 in Tracy, CA. He married (1) Edith Louise Swaim 28 Oct 1945. He married (2) Hazel Gillies Bennett 03 Jun 1967.

Obituary for Robert Shelhorn

ROBERT SHELHORN, WAR VET, DIED SATURDAY

Funeral Services are scheduled here Tuesday afternoon for Robert H. Shelhorn Jr., 70, a retired Army officer who saw duty during World War II and Korea.

He died Saturday in Tracy Community Memorial Hospital after suffering a heart attack at his home.

A native of Indianapolis, IN, Mr Shelhorn graduated from Shortridge High and attended Purdue University, where he was enrolled in the Reserve Officer Training Corps.

He received his Army commission at Fort Sill, OK, and served during active duty in World War II and the Korean conflict, reaching the rank of Lieutenant colonel before retiring. He had been a Tracy resident for the past 10 years.

Mr. Shelhorn was a member of Theta Chi fraternity at Purdue and was a member of the Tracy Golf and Country Club. He was a mason.

Survivors include his wife, Hazel Shelhorn of Tracy: two sons, George Shelhorn of Vallejo and David Shelhorn of Bothel, WA; a daughter, Janis Shelhorn of Auburn; a stepson, Charles Bennett of Tracy; a stepdaughter, Marlene Inman of Elk Grove; two daughters-in-law, Leah Shelhorn of Vallejo and Maria Shelhorn of Bother, WA; a son-in-law, Gary Inman of Elk Grove; four grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.

Also surviving are his mother, Bertha Shelhorn of Kokomo, IN, two sisters, Harriet Pfaff of Fort Dodge, Iowa, and Heldreth Baldride of Kokomo, IN. A brother, Frank Shelhorn, preceded him in death.

Tuesday's funeral services will begin at 2 P.M. at Fry Memorial Chapel, 550 S. Central Ave. Interment will be in Tracy Cemetery. Visitation will be today from noon to 5 P.M. and Tuesday from 8:30 A.M. to the time of the services.

The family prefers memorial contributions to a charity of the donor's choice.

Obituary in the Indianapolis Star Feb. 11, 1992, included death and family information as above but also added; Mr Shelhorn had been a plant supervisor for Celotex Corp. 20 years.

41 iii. Frank Lafayette Shelhorn, born 17 Mar 1924 in Indianapolis, IN; died 26 Apr 1990 in Indianapolis, IN. He married (1) Mary Eiler Bef. 1949. He married (2) Bertha Beck Aft. 1955. He married (3) Betty Ritter Witte Aft. 1956.

Obituary from Indianapolis Star

FRANK L. SHELHORN, 66, Indianapolis, died Thursday, Services will be at 2 P.M. Saturday in Northminster Presbyterian Church. No calling is scheduled. Flanner & Buchanan Broad Ripple Mortuary is handling arrangements. He owned and operated Community Glass Service for 20 years. He was an airplane instrument mechanic in the Army Air Forces in World War II. Survivors: wife, Betty Ritter Shelhorn; daughters, Connee Lincoln, Linda Melick and Nancy Baun; son, Sam Witte; mother, Bertha Coughlen Shelhorn; sisters, Hildreth Baldridge and Harriett Pfaff; brother, Robert H. Shelhorn Jr.; 11 grandchildren.

42 iv. Hildreth "Hilly" Shelhorn, born 18 Jun 1927 in Indianapolis, IN. She married Warren McKnight "Mac" Baldridge 22 Dec 1946; born 22 Sep 1922 in Louisville, KY; died 11 Oct 1984 in Kokomo, IN.

22. Harry Gaston⁴ Coughlen, Jr (Harry Gaston³, William², (Unknown)¹ Coughlan) was born 14 Sep 1902 in Indianapolis, IN, and died 28 Oct 1983 in St Francis Hospital Center, Beech Grove, IN. He married Irene Violet Braman 24 Jun 1925 in Indianapolis, IN, daughter of Alberta Braman and Drusilla Durbin. She was born 20 May 1902 in Rochester, IN, and died 09 Sep 2003 in Indianapolis, IN.

The Life of Harry Gaston Coughlen, Jr.

Harry Coughlen, Jr. lived most of his life in Indianapolis, IN until retirement when he moved to Boca Raton, FL for 6 1/2 years. He moved back with Irene to live the remainder of his life in Greenwood, IN. Much of their life together is chronicled in The Life of Irene Braman Coughlen.

Harry, Jr. graduated from Purdue University in 1924 with a Mechanical Engineering Degree. He worked for Indianapolis Water Company for 43 years rising to the position of Superintendent of Pumping.

Harry was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church. He had a wonderful baritone voice and was a soloist in many church choirs including ones where he was in a paid position. He also sang on radio programs in Indianapolis, Indiana. Some of the special music he sang: The Lord's Prayer, The Messiah, and Oratoria Elijah. His other leisure activities included bowling which he did into his late 70's. His great-grandson, Kendall Brewer, now bowls with his bowling ball and wears his bowling shoes twenty-five years later.

Grandfather Harry G. Coughlen, Jr. had a stroke while driving home on Interstate 65 from a day spent with Irene in Brown County to visit Cliffty Falls State Park. This is where they had gone on their honeymoon in 1925 and it remained one of their favorite places. They had driven down for the morning, had lunch at their favorite restaurant and were on their way home. He began having numbness in his arm and hand and his speech was impacted. He had to drive on the shoulder of the highway until he came to the next exit which was highway 58. Grandmother helped him turn the steering wheel to get into a service station and put the gear shift into park for him. He then slumped over and Grandmother sought help. An ambulance was called and it transported him to Bartholemew County Hospital's ER Department. A while later, he was transferred to St. Francis Hospital in Beech Grove, IN where he died that night around 11 p.m., on October 28, 1983.

The Life of Irene Braman Coughlen

When Irene was a little girl four Braman families moved to DePew, Oklahoma, and leased land from the Indians. Grandpa and Grandma Braman, Aunt Mary Ann, Uncle Schuyler and her family [Bert, Emma and children] were the four families. Each had one room of the four room cabin they all built. The four rooms were in a row versus a square four room home - each with their own doors to the outside. Grandmother Braman (Emma) and Grandmother Coughlen (Irene) got malaria. Irene's family came back east to Peru, IN, where she started school. They moved back to Rochester not long after.

At 11 years old they moved to South Bend for six months, and Dowagiac, MI, after that. They spent one year in Michigan, then back to Rochester, Indiana. Then her Grandmother and Grandfather Braman came back to Rochester, Indiana. They adopted Florence Morrell as a child and she later married a Mr. Brickel. They had gotten Florence from the orphan train that came through Rochester.

Grandmother Irene Coughlen lived most of her childhood years in Rochester, IN. Left school during 10th grade to help with family finances. She worked for the Rochester Canning Co. canning peas at age 14 for one summer which was during World War I. Her family moved to Indianapolis, IN, when she was 16 years old. The first job she had in Indianapolis was in 1918 in which she drilled holes in Tinker Toys. That job lasted two months. She then worked for two years for Indiana Dry Goods Co. where she sold cosmetics. She then went to Bobbs-Merrill as a proofreader but spent most of her time as a Copy Editor in the Law Dept. She edited the Laws of Real Property (7 Volumes) and Indiana Forms (1 Volume) books. Her income was $13 per week after four years with them but started at $10. She filled a hope chest with earnings while paying $2 room and board at home, streetcar fare, lunch, clothes, etc.

"At 16 moved to Indianapolis where I met my fate. Met Harry at the girls house next door. I was 16. Ran around in the same crowd. His freshman year at college, he came home at Christmas and we had our first date. He had been dating another girl and they had broken up. I had been dating George Kistler. Granddaddy asked George if he minded if he took her out. He said he didn't have any strings. We got engaged the July after our first date and married 4 years later." Married June 24, 1925. Made her own wedding dress. She continued working until they married.

They lived in a small apartment with an in-the-door bed. The apartment had a kitchen, living room and bathroom. They had no radio but did have a phonograph which had to be wound up for each record. "We had 'Always' and 'Beautiful Ohio' which were real popular at the time."

Granddaddy started working for the Indianapolis Water Co. in 1924 right after college graduation. He pledged $200 to the Union Building Fund so they waited until 1925 to get married. The $200 was a lot of money back then. He made $130 per month when he started at the Indianapolis Water Company. When they got married he was up to $150 per month. They spent $5 per week on groceries.

After 11 months in the first apartment, they rented half a double house because Grandmother was pregnant. She had her hair bobbed for the first time. Her hair had been so long (she could sit on it) that it took 2 hours to dry. Had Jane on Nov. 2, 1926. Before long, she was pregnant with her surprise baby, Ellie, who was born Nov. 23, 1927.

"We got our first car in 1930 or 1931. It was a used Chevrolet which we paid $175 for." Grandfather Braman had bought a car in 1924, the year before Grandmother Coughlen got married.

Great-Grandmother and Great-Grandfather Harry Coughlen, Sr. lived with them in 1932 for about eight months extending into 1933. Great-Great-Grandmother Witt also was living with them. She was old and couldn't come down for meals or anything before she died while with them. She was embalmed at the house and the "wake" was held there. She was buried at Crown Hill Cemetery in the family plot. When they were all living in the house it was four generations. Great-Great-Grandmother Witt was the mother of Great-Grandmother Coughlen.

Grandmother and Grandfather Coughlen moved to Central Avenue in 1942 and moved to Guilford Ave. in 1953. They lived at Guilford Ave. for 13 years. Then in Boca Raton, FL, for 6 1/2 years after Granddaddy retired in 1967. They returned to Greenwood, IN, in 1973. They lived in an apartment for several months while they had a cottage built in Greenwood Village South. They lived in the cottage for 8 1/2 years until Granddaddy died. Grandmother went to live in the Arms Apartments (also part of the Greenwood Village South) in a two room apartment and then later to a one room apartment where she lived until she was 99 1/2 years old.

Irene Coughlen's one-hundredth birthday was celebrated on Saturday, May 18, 2002. A reception at Greenwood Village South was held for family and friends in the afternoon and a family dinner was held at Carver's Steak and Chops Restaurant that evening. She was interviewed during the reception and her birthday celebration was shown on local channel 13 news (Indianapolis, Indiana. On her actual birthday, May 20, 2002, her grandson, David Hicks (who traveled from England for her birthday celebration] and I took her to lunch at Mark Pi's.

Her one-hundred-first birthday was celebrated on May 20, 2003 with Vance and I taking her out to Red Lobster for crab legs. She ate every bite of about a 2 lb. serving. The waitress cracked them and put them on her plate for her. The waitress sat at our table the whole time - about 30 minutes. Grandmother told some of her stories to the waitress and it was a fun evening.

During Irene's adulthood in Indianapolis she was involved in church activities such as Women's Circle, Sewing Guild at Northminster Presbyterian Church and White Cross Guild at Methodist Hospital. She never had a driver's license. She was an avid reader and appeared to have an education much above her nine+ years of formal education. She remained fully lucid until her death showing no signs of dementia.

Irene was a breast cancer survivor, having had a masectomy at age 93 from which she recovered quickly and fully. She lived her last year and a half in the nursing care unit of Greenwood Village South. She died at St. Francis Hospital on September 9, 2003, of old age and the effects of Congestive Heart Failure.

Most of the above personal history was told to me by Grandmother Coughlen on a visit with her in April 1994 and supplemented by my own knowledge.

Obituaries from The Indianapolis Star for Harry and Irene Coughlen.

Harry G. Coughler Jr. [sic Coughlen]

Services for Harry G. Coughler [sic Coughlen], Jr., 81, Greenwood, a former Indianapolis resident, will be held at 10 a.m. Tuesday in Flanner and Buchanan Broad Ripple Mortuary, where friends may call from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Monday. He died Friday in St. Francis Hospital. A resident of Indianapolis most of his life, he was a 43 year employee of the Indianapolis Water Co., retiring in 1967 as superintendent of pumping. He was a 1924 graduate of Purdue University and a member, deacon and elder of Northminster Presbyterian Church. Survivors include his wife, Irene B. Coghler [sic Coughlen], and two daughters, Jane Hicks and Eleanor Radtke. Memorial contributions may be made to the church or the donor's favorite charity.

Irene B. Coughlen

101, of Greenwood, IN, died September 9, 203. Mrs. Coughlen, prior to her marriage to Harry G. Coughlen, worked as a Proofreader and Copy Editor with Bob Merrill Publishing Company for 4 years. Mrs. Coughlen was a member of Northminster Presbyterian Church. Her husband, Harry G. Coughlen; daughters, Jane Hicks, Eleanor Radtke; and sister Mildred Collins, preceded her in death. 12 grandchildren, and 17 and Great Grandchildren and 8 great great-grandchildren survice Mrs. Coughlen. [Note: A brother, Lyman Braman, also preceded her in death but was missed by the funeral home in her obituary.]

Funeral services will be conducted at Flanner Buchanan Funeral Center - Broad Ripple, Saturday, September 13 at 2 p.m. Friends may call at the funeral center Friday September 12, 4 to 8 p.m. and Saturday, September 13, from Noon until 2 p.m. Burial will follow in Crown Hill Cemetery.

www.flannerbuchanan.com [End]

Children of Harry Coughlen and Irene Braman are:

43 i. Bertha Jane⁵ Coughlen, born 02 Nov 1926 in Indianapolis, IN; died 03 Jan 1996 in Jackson, Jackson Co., MI. She married Graydon Keith Hicks, Sr 22 Aug 1944 in Indianapolis, IN; born 02 Jan 1922 in Albion, MI; died 20 Dec 1969 in Grand Blanc, Genesee Co., MI.

The Life of Bertha "Jane" Coughlen

Bertha Jane Coughlen was born weighing 6 lbs. on November 2, 1926 at 6:13 P.M., at Indiana Christian Hospital, Indianapolis, Indiana. The doctor who delivered her was Geo. E. Lowe and the nurse who attended her was Gladys Goldie Sears. She would be called Jane by all but a few teacher who insisted on using her first name of Bertha.

Jane was entered in the Cradle Roll at Fairview Presbyterian Church, Indianapolis, Indiana, on March 3, 1927. She was baptized on Easter Sunday, April 17, 1927 at that church by Edward Haines Kistler, Pastor and friend of the family.

Many members of the family served this church in the following capacities; Her grandfather, Harry Gaston Coughlen, Sr was secretary and treasurer of the board of trustees of the church and treasurer of benevolences. Her uncle Jack Silberman had been a trustee until then but resigned due to business pressures but remained on the Finance Committee. And her Uncle Bob Shelhorn was on the House Committee. Her grandmother, Mrs. H.G.Coughlen, Sr was President of the Service Bible Class and was also Presbyterial President of the Woman's Missionary Society.

She herself became a member of the Fairview Presbyterian Church on April 9, 1939, being received into membership by Virgil D. Ragan, Pastor, who would one day baptize me in 1945.

Jane grew up in Indianapolis, IN. She told me of the times she rode a friends bike in the alley and fell, scraping her knees on the cinders. She wasn't supposed to be riding a bike but she couldn't resist.

As a child she had scarlet fever among other childhood illnesses. She also had the early beginnings of arthritis in her knee which prevented her from going out to play for quite some time. She spent a lot of time reading inside. Reading was a lifelong passion of hers.

As she grew up she was an excellent student - getting all "A's". She took 4 years of Latin among other things. Rather than go on to college after graduating from high school she married Graydon Hicks on Tuesday, August 22, 1944. They were married at 8:30 P.M. at Fairview Presbyterian Church, 4602 Kenwood Avenue, Indianapolis, Indiana.

Jane and Graydon had met in Indianapolis, IN, at her church during an evening social activity sponsored for the military personnel who were attending signalman school training at Butler University. They dated when the war (WWII) allowed him to return to Indianapolis on leave and wrote to each other constantly. They became engaged during her senior year of high school and planned to marry some time after graduation but no set time. Graydon got an unexpected leave and with 10 days notice, a wedding was planned and they were married on August 22, 1944. They honeymooned in Indianapolis and Chicago for a few days.

Graydon returned to Philadelphia to go out to sea but the launching was delayed for repairs on the ship. Jane was able to go out there by train and spend another week with him before he shipped out. Their first child was born nine months later the following June.

Newspaper articles of announcement, shower, and wedding follow.

Miss Coughlen to Be Guest

Miss Bertha Jane Coughlen, who will be wed to Graydon Keith Hicks, signalman 2-c, U.S.N.R., Tuesday in the Fairview Presbyterian church, will be guest at a personal shower tonight.

The party is to be given by Miss Madge Phipps in her home. Among those to attend are Mesdames Harry Coughlen, J.E.Silberman, E.W.Bilyeu, William Hutchings, Robert Shelhorn and Harlan Pfaff, Misses Betty Nelson, Norma Surenkamp, Mae and Mary Yount, Hildreth Shelhorn, Rosemary Tibbets, Ruth White, Marjorie Dawson, Phyllis Cochran and Eleanor Coughlen.

Hicks-Coughlen Rite to be Next Tuesday

The wedding of Miss Bertha Jane Coughlen and Graydon Keith Hicks, signalman 2-c, U.S.N.R., will be at 8:30 P.M. next Tuesday in the Fairview Presbyterian church. The bride-to-be is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Coughlen Jr. and Mr. Hicks' parents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hicks, Albion, Mich. Miss Eleanor Coughlen will be her sister's only attendant. William Hastings will serve as best man and Howard Niemeyer and George Kistler as ushers.

Mr. and Mrs. Coughlen will honor the engaged couple with a bridal dinner in their home Monday night. The guests will include Messrs. and Mesdames Kistler, Niemeyer and Hastings, Mrs. Frank Edenharter and Mrs. Hicks, Misses Phyllis and Catherine Hicks and Mrs. Lowell Morgan, all of Albion.

Capt. and Mrs. R.H.Shelhorn and Mrs. and Mrs. John E. Silberman will entertain with a family party Friday in the home of the latter. The guests will be Messrs. and Mesdames Kistler, Hastings, Coughlen and Merritt Coughlen, Mesdames L.H.Pfaff, W.H.Shumacher and George F. Wilson, Misses Eleanor and Doris Coughlen and Hildreth Shelhorn.

Indianapolis Times, August 22, 1944

Graydon Hicks, Miss Coughlen Will Be Wed

Rev. Harry Campbell To Read Ceremony

In a ceremony at 8:30 o'clock tonight in the Fairview Presbyterian church Miss Bertha Jane Coughlen will become the bride of Graydon Keith Hicks, signalman 2-c, U.S.N.R.

The Rev. Harry Campbell will read the vows, and bridal music will be played by Mrs. Frank T. Edenharter, organist.

Miss Coughlen is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Harry G. Coughlen Jr., 5228 Central Ave., and the bridegroom's parents are Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Hicks, Albion, Mich.

The bride will wear a gown with a white taffeta bodice, sweetheart neckline, bracelet sleeves and a full net skirt with appliqued taffeta bows. Her fingertip veil will be attached to a coronet of orange blossoms and she will carry a bouquet of white roses.

Sister Is Attendant

Miss Eleanor Coughlen will be her sister's only attendant. She has chosen an azure taffeta frock with puffed sleeves and a bouffant skirt. Her flowers will be pink roses. William Hastings will serve as best man, and the ushers will be Howard Niemeyer and George Kistler.

Mrs. Coughlen will wear a black and gold crepe print dress with black accessories and a corsage of tea roses. The bridegroom's mother will wear a sky blue dress, black accessories and her flowers will be pink roses.

Following the ceremony, there will be a reception in the church. The couple will leave for a wedding trip East and will be at home here. Mr. Hicks attended Albion College, Mich.

The Indianapolis News, August 23, 1944

Bertha Coughlen, Graydon Hicks Wed

Miss Bertha Jane Coughlen, daughter of Mrs. and Mrs. Harry G. Coughlen, and Signalman Second Class Graydon Keith Hicks, U. S. N. R., son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Hicks, Albion, Mich., were married Tuesday at 8:30 P.M. in the Fairview Presbyterian church. The Rev. Harry Campbell officiated and Mrs. Frank P. Edenharter, organist, played the bridal music.

The bride chose a white taffeta gown fashioned with a fitted bodice, sweetheart neckline and a white net skirt on which were appliqued taffeta bows. She wore a finger-tip length veil falling from a coronet of orange blossoms and carried Bride's roses. Miss Eleanor Coughlen, her sister's only attendant, wore azure taffeta styled similarly to that of the bride's and carried pink roses. William Hastings was best man and ushers were Howard Niemeyer and George Kistler. Following the ceremony a reception was held at the church.

After a wedding trip the couple will live here temporarily. Signalman Hicks is in the armed guard service of the Navy.

And Life Goes On.....

During their marriage Mom maintained the home and raised us three kids. She learned to drive in about 1951-52 at the age of about 25. At times she worked part-time for home sales in Stanley Home Products and Avon and for a short time for a women's clothing store. Mom went to work full time for Yankee Stores in May 1963 because I was going to Michigan State University in the Fall. She worked in inventory management and was soon chosen to be a computer programer. She was given training through IBM in Detroit. The Yankee chain was sold to Borman's Food Stores and the offices relocated to Detroit so Mom went to work for the Genesee County Intermediate School District Offices in their computer programming area from December 12, 1966 until May 1970.

Mom was always active in church in women's circle, as deacon, elder, and in the choir. She was also active in school PTA, volunteered for such things as WKAR (public radio) pledging, and in the 1960's was involved in the Republican Party delegation at State Party Conventions.

Mom and Dad were married for 25 years before Mom was widowed by Dad's sudden death. Following Dad's death, Mom quit working at the Intermediate Offices and resumed her scholastic efforts by going to college at 43 years old. She graduated in just under 3 years, Magna Cum Laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Michigan State University in 1973. She also was a member of Phi Kappa Phi.

She then worked for the Holt Community Schools as the Payroll Administrator until her retirement. They replaced her with three people which speaks to her ability to get things done efficiently. Following her retirement, she took a trip to England given to her by Keith and me to visit David and his family for Christmas. She visited them from December 15, 1989, until her return home on January 3, 1990.

A couple years after starting work for the Holt Community Schools, Mom bought a small house in July, 1978 and resided there until shortly before her death.

Mom continued to be a busy woman through church, senior citizens, and other activities.

Her church affiliations included being a charter member of Farnumwood Presbyterian Church, 2350 E. Hemphill Road, Flint, Michigan officially organized on February 13, 1955. She was a deacon in the years 1955-57. She remained active there until moving to East Lansing when she transferred her membership to Peoples Church of East Lansing on February 27, 1972. Then she transferred membership to the Holt Presbyterian Church when she moved to Holt in 1978.

During her life, Mom enjoyed traveling when she could. Cost and work responsibilities did not allow for much but she did manage three or four trips to England to visit David and his family and Keith and Beth in Germany and Utah when Keith was in the military. Known dates of some of these trips are England 8/7/1974 to 8/22/1974, one time from July 21 to August 5, (Yr unknown) and December 1986, and Utah - 5/16/1985 to 5/21/1985.

In June 1995 Mom began seeing her primary care physician, about pain and discomfort in her abdomen on the right side. Following tests and x-rays to rule out gall bladder problems and cracked ribs, a CAT Scan was done and fluids drawn from her right lung were tested. The diagnosis made in mid-July was lung cancer which had metastasized to her adrenal glands, upper chest behind the Aorta and a suspicious mass in the liver. Additional clouding was noted over the kidneys which appeared to be calcification. The prognosis was terminal in approximately six to nine months.

Her hope at that time was to see one more Christmas. With Kendall's announcement of his pending wedding on December 16, 1995, she also decided she wanted to be able to attend the wedding.

Mom's faith in life was a mainstay as she lived her remaining weeks and months. She accepted the inevitability of it and looked for each opportunity that approached her as a chance to enrich the quality of her life as she knew it. Visits from family were her most prized moments and she enjoyed talking with and about past and present events with them. Cards, letters, phone calls and visits from her many friends buoyed her spirits and blessed her with affection from those who cared for her.

She came to live with us in late July/early August as it became too difficult to manage on her own. It was the worst of times and the best of times as we faced this together. The circumstances were not what we would have wanted but the chance to share the meaning of life was a blessing in disguise.

In September, Mom became a patient with Hospice of Jackson. They were wonderful to her and to us throughout the remainder of Mom's life. Her nurse was Karen Stewart and others were Ellie, Sue, and Ann. Ann also worked at the hospital while Mom was there. Our social worker was Leslie Ferret. These women were of great help, medically and emotionally to us all.

Mom was able to withstand the effects of cancer long enough to attend Kendall and Lynette's wedding on December 16. She also got to see Christmas lights as Keith drove her around for a while after the wedding. This was her last outing.

Her disease rapidly took its toll after that. She remained bedridden in our home until Friday, December 29, 1995, when she became too ill for home care and was admitted to Foote Hospital in Jackson, MI. The evening of January 2 she was visited by a volunteer chaplin, Ned, of the Wesleyan Church in Jackson, who read her the 23rd Psalm and said a prayer for her. She responded to the reading and his words of encouragement. She died peacefully at 2:20 AM on January 3, 1996.

Obituary - Jackson Citizens Patriot - January 4, 1996

Hicks, Bertha "Jane" (Coughlen)

Of Jackson, formerly of Holt, aged 69, passed away on January 3, 1996. She was born on November 2, 1926 in Indianapolis, Ind., moving to Albion in 1945 for five years, Goodrich for one year and the Flint area for 20 years. She had been a resident of Holt since 1973 until recently when she went to live with her daughter in Jackson. She was a 1944 Graduate of Shortridge High School, Indianapolis, Ind., a 1973 graduate of Michigan State University and retired from Holt Community Schools-Payroll after 15 years of service. She was a member and elder of First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Holt Senior Citizens. Surviving are daughter, Kathryn Jane and her husband, Vance Anderson of Jackson; two sons, Graydon Keith, Jr. and his wife, Beth Hicks of Beavercreek, Ohio, David Brian Hicks of England; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; mother, Irene Violet Coughlen of Greenwood, Ind; brother-in-law, Edward Radtke in Indianapolis, Ind; sisters-in-law, Phyllis and her husband, Paul Foster of Albion, Mich., Kathryn and her husband, Robert Trautman of Newberry, Mich., many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband, Graydon K. Hicks, Sr.; her father, Harry Gaston Coughlen, Jr. and her sister, Eleanor Irene Radtke. Religious services will be conducted by the Reverend Dr. Jeffrey D. Weenink at 11:30 A.M. Monday, January 8, 1996 at the First Presbyterian Church of Holt, 2021 N. Aurelius Rd. Graveside services will be held at 3:00 P.M. in Evergreen Cemetery, Grand Blanc, Mich. The family will receive friends at the Estes-Leadley Holt/Delhi Chapel from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 P.M. Sunday and Mrs. Hicks will lie-in-state at the Church from 10:30 A.M. until service time on Monday. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church of Holt, Holt Public Schools Scholarship Fund, 4610 Spahr Ave., Holt, Mich. 48842, or to the Hospice of Jackson, 915 Airport Rd., Jackson, Mich. 49202 in memory of Bertha "Jane" Hicks.

Jackson Citizen Patriot - Jan. 6, 1996 Bertha "Jane" (Coughlen) Hicks, 69, of Jackson, died Wednesday. A 1973 graduate of Michigan State University, she retired after 15 years of service in the payroll department of Holt Community Schools. She also was a member and elder of the First Presbyterian Church and a member of the Holt Senior Citizens. Surviving are her mother, Irene Violet Coughlen; one daughter, Kathryn Jane Anderson; two sons, Graydon Keith Jr. and David Brian Hicks; seven grandchildren; two step-grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Graydon K. Hicks Sr., her father, Harry Gaston Coughlen Jr., and one sister, Eleanor Irene Radtke.

44 ii. Eleanor Irene Coughlen, born 23 Nov 1927 in Indianapolis, IN; died 28 Dec 1992 in Indianapolis, IN. She married Edward William Radtke, Sr 20 Jun 1952 in Indianapolis, IN; born 14 Mar 1927 in Indianapolis, IN; died 09 Nov 1999 in Indianapolis, IN.

Obituary from The Indianapolis Star

ELEANOR IRENE COUGHLEN RADTKE, 65, Indianapolis, died Monday. Services will be at 10 A.M. Thursday in St. Paul's Lutheran Church, of which she was a member. Calling will be from 4 P.M. to 9 P.M. today in G.H. Herrmann Madison Avenue Funeral Home and from 9 A.M. until services Thursday in the church. She was an officer of the Aid Association for Lutherans, Branch 505. She was a graduate of Marion County General Hospital School of Nursing. Memorial contributions may be made to the church. Survivors: husband, Edward William Radtke Sr., daughter, Carol Scott; sons, Gary, Eddie and Mark Radtke; mother, Irene Coughlen; sister, Jane Hicks; three grandchildren.

Corrections and additions will be gratefully appreciated. E-mail me at kathrynsplace@gmail.com.