Reatha Coon

St. Joseph – Reatha (Gabbard) Coon, 86, a sixty-year resident of St. Joseph, MI passed away on Thursday, June 17, 2010. A celebration of her life will be held on Monday, June 21, 2010, at 1:00 p.m. at Starks and Menchinger Funeral Home, 2650 Niles Road, St. Joseph, MI. The service will be officiated by Rev. Wade Panse. The visitation will be held on Sunday, June 20, 2010 from 1:00 until 3:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Berrien County Cancer Service and Lakeland Hospice. Reatha was born on February 29, 1924 in Owsley County, KY, one of sixteen children born to William and Mary Ann (Creech) Gabbard. She married John Jay Coon on December 4, 1942 in Ft. Wayne, IN. and became a Navy wife. Traveling the United States and overseas Reatha was adept at making a home out of military housing. Reatha was an incredibly warm and devoted mother, grandmother, and great grandmother. She was an avid gardener, quilter and spent considerable time with her husband, John, traveling to all 50 states and enjoying his favorite past time – fishing. Reatha is survived by her daughters, Sara Andrews of St. Joseph and Shirley (James) Abraham of St. Joseph, and a son, John (Helen) Coon of Dover, N.H. She is also survived by her sister, Mertie Logan of Connersville, IN, 7 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, her parents, 15 siblings, a niece and a nephew. Friends wishing to sign the family guestbook or to leave a message may do so at www.starks-menchinger.com.