Earl Coen

Earl Coen

Earl Coen, 93, of Coolville, Ohio, with his wife and children at his side, peacefully left his blessed life and entered his heavenly home on November 5, 2024.

Earl will be watching over his loving wife and soul-mate of 75 years, Betty Lou (Alkire), and daughters Judith (Steven Williams) Morgan of Coolville, Deborah (Scott Bearhs) Zimmerman of Guysville, Penny (Michael) Nutter of Belpre, and sons Steven (Barbara) of Guysville, and Gregory (Malissa) of Stewart, 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren. 

Earl is also survived by his twin brother, Pearl, and younger brothers Daniel and Joseph, and sisters Eva Mae Llewellyn, Gladys Kearns, Virginia Chutes, and Linda Powell, as well as numerous brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, many nieces and nephews, and other special family members. The Alkires were his second family, and he enjoyed spending time with them at family gatherings and other events. 

Earl was born January 10, 1931, at his family’s home on Frost Road to the late Kenneth Wade and Bessie Lusetta (Lonas) Coen. He was preceded in death by his father-in-law and mother-in law Russell and Verna (Wiggins) Alkire, and by brothers Edward, Francis, Leo, Ralph and Robert, sister Bernice, and son-in-law Bruce Morgan.

Earl attended Rome Canaan High School and on August 27, 1949, he and Betty were married in Greenup, Kentucky. His first paying job was working as a farm hand for Bertie Brookover in 1949. In 1950, he began a 19-year career at Electric Motor Service and in 1969 he became the supervisor of the newly created Preventive Maintenance shop at Ohio University, where he remained until his retirement in 2000. He was the founder of Coen Electric and remained active in the business for 60+ years. He was also a proud volunteer fireman in the Rome Township Fire Department, serving from 1985-2000. He was also a past member of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Earl was an avid storyteller, loved spending time with his family and friends, and enjoyed hunting and fishing. In his earlier years you would often see him at stock car races, watching his favorite driver, Bernard Triplett, or hear him over the CB radio as “Captain Bligh.” As a member of the Centennial Congregational Church near Frost, Ohio, he was a Sunday school teacher in the young adult class. Later in life he became a member of the Stewart United Methodist Church where he served as a trustee and was always asked to say grace at family events. 

Earl enjoyed listening to bluegrass music, watching old Westerns, driving his tractor, singing his favorite hymns, and telling jokes. He truly lived his life by his favorite saying “people have more fun than anybody” and always had a twinkle in his eye and a smile on his face. 

Services will be held at 1 P.M., Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024, at White Funeral Home in Coolville, Ohio with Pastor James Lambert officiating. Burial will be in Meigs Memory Garden. Family and friends may call at the funeral home on Friday from 5-8 P.M.

You are invited to sign the online guestbook at ehwfh.com.