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Obituary

George Y. Coats, age 70, of Monticello, IL passed away Friday, June 17, 2005 in Gurnee, IL. Born in Topeka, KS to Jay and Juanita (Swain) Coats, who preceded him in death. Survived by second wife, Helen Marie Coats; sons, Greg (Gayla) Coats of St. Louis, MO, Matt (Eve) Coats of Raleigh, NC, Flynn (Kathy) Coats of Mahomet, IL; daughters, Catherine (Tim) Selander-Coats of Athens, OH, Diane (Craig) Dawson of Gurnee, IL, Robin (Joe) Ostrowski of Oaklawn, IL; brothers, Jay (Marlene) Coats of Sparks, NV, Charles "Slats" (Charlotte) Flynn of Columbus, OH, John (Mary) Flynn of Gahanna, OH, Dave (Irene) Flynn of Clear Springs, MD, Mike (Casey) Flynn of St. Paul, MN; sister, Hilda Donahue of Maumee, OH; and 14 grandchildren, Benjamin, Maggie, Abby, Katie, Reid, Elliot, Max, Sam, Casey, Catherine, Ryan, Elizabeth, Ethan, and Emily. Preceded in death by first wife Carol A. Flynn Coats. After serving in the Army, George came to Columbus, OH to complete his college education under the GI bill. There he met and married Carol A. Flynn. Together they lovingly raised 6 children and later founded a family business, Thunderbird Inc, which provided jobs, education, and multiple second generation businesses. The designated motto "CKE" which stood for "A Coats Kids Enterprise" emphasized the message of working hard and sticking together. His last 18 years of life were governed by his spiritual journey in Christ's teaching through which he became healed and whole. During this time, he also dedicated his love and attention to his second wife, Helen Marie, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer's shortly after they married. He considered it his "honor and privilege" to be her guardian and continued as her primary care giver for nearly 10 years. Friends may visit 4-8 p.m. Tuesday, June 21, 2005 at John Quint & Sons, Columbus, with prayer service at 7:30 p.m. Funeral service at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 22, 2005 at St. Agatha's Catholic Church, 1860 Northam Rd., Columbus, OH. Interment St. Joseph's Cemetery, Columbus. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Piatt County Nursing Home in Monticello, IL in the name of Helen Marie Coats or the hospice of your community. George Y. Coats was truly the best father, most loyal friend and dedicated husband. He left all he crossed paths with feeling special and loved. John 8:32