Francis JR Coyne

Francis “JR” Coyne, 89, of Monroeville, IN, passed away on Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Swiss Village in Berne.  JR was born in Decatur, IN on July 31, 1934 to Francis Coyne and Mary (Temple) Coyne.  He married Patti Salway on September 10, 1982, and recently celebrated 41 years of marriage.

JR graduated from Decatur Catholic High School in 1952.  He loved basketball, gardening, hunting and fishing. He sang in the choir at Besoncon for many years and started the annual Choir fish fry dinner. Though these were his passions, his love for God, his wife and family surpassed that.  JR was always willing to give what he could to help others and was very generous with his time.  He loved giving children a dollar bill and finding money on the sidewalk. He ate more than any man we knew and he never gained weight.  

JR was a member of the Army National Guard for six years.  He joined International Harvester in 1954 as an inspector in the heavy truck department and enjoyed an early retirement in 1986.  He had a good life and thoroughly enjoyed it.

He is survived by his wife Patti and children Karen Kaehr, Kristy (Lyle) Haines, Kathy (Henry) Pearson, Beth Coyne, Jim (Carol) Salway, Barry (Vonda) Salway, Reba (Mark) McMillen, 15 grandchildren, and 11 great grandchildren, siblings: Dick Coyne, OH, Dolly Ross, IN, Rosie Brown, OH, Jim Coyne IN, Pat Brown, OH, Dort Litchfield, WI.  JR was preceded in death by his son-in-law, Scott Kaehr.

Family and friends will be received from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Monday, June 10, 2024, at Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home in Decatur, IN. 

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at St Louis Besancon Catholic Church, 15535 Lincoln Hwy E., New Haven, IN, with Fr. Tyrell J. Alles, O.S.B., presiding. Visitation will be 1 hour prior to Mass from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. and burial will follow in St. Louis Cemetery and Military Graveside Rites will be conducted by the American Legion Adams Post 43 Color Guard.

Memorials may be made to the National Wild Turkey Federation.

 Arrangements were Entrusted to Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home

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