James P. Coyne

James (Jim) Paul Coyne Sr., 83, of Decatur, passed into the gates of heaven on October 28th at home, surrounded by his family. Jim was born in Decatur, IN, to the late Francis J. and Mary E. (Temple) Coyne on November 5, 1940. On June 4, 1960, he was united in marriage to Gladys Kay Myers in Decatur, IN, at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church.

Jim attended Decatur Catholic School and proceeded to join the Army. He worked at Zollner Pistons in Fort Wayne for 30 years until he retired in 1994. He was a lifetime member of Adams Moose Lodge, serving in multiple offices including the Governor, and also served as Administrator from 1993 to 2003.

He enjoyed the outdoors and loved working on stuff in the barn, farming, and golfing. He loved pulling tractors, and was the 1969 International Light Weight Champion. He was the first one to use wide tractor tires with his pulling tractor. In his later years, he loved his prized Minneapolis Moline. Jim was even able to continue pulling after having a stroke in 2003.

He enjoyed watching his grandchildren with their many activities, was the pitcher for every wiffleball and kickball game.

Jim is survived by his wife of 64 years, Gladys Coyne of Decatur; sons, James P. (Teresa) Coyne Jr. of Lagrange, IN, Jeffrey (Marcy) Coyne of Decatur, IN, Jerry (Aleta) Coyne of Decatur, IN; a daughter, Jodi (Chad) Brunner of Monroe, IN; sisters, Delores (Dolly) Ross of Decatur, IN, Patricia (Patty) Brown of Monroeville, IN, Dorothy (Dort) Litchfield of Wisconsin; sister-in-law, Patti Coyne of Monroeville, IN; 10 Grandchildren, Sandy Coyne of Decatur, Beau (Mary) Coyne of Florida, Thomas (Ja’Darius Boyce) Coyne of Virginia, Bailey Coyne of Decatur, Nash (Autumn) Brunner of Berne, Alexis Coyne of Indianapolis, Sidney Coyne of Decatur, Trey Brunner of Monroe, Gracey Coyne of Decatur, and Drew Brunner of Monroe; 1 Great-Grandchild, Eleayzar Coyne of Decatur.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, Francis and Mary Coyne; his siblings, who all passed away in 2024: brothers, Francis (JR) Coyne and Richard (Dick) Coyne; sister, Rosemary (Rosie) Brown. He also was proceeded in death by 4 brothers-in-law and 1 sister-in-law.

Visitation will be on Friday, November 1, 2024, from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. at Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home, Decatur.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, November 2, 2024, at Saint Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Decatur, IN, with calling prior to the service from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. in the Parish Hall. Father Dave Ruppert will be presiding and burial will follow in Saint Joseph Catholic Cemetery.

Preferred memorials are to Mooseheart or Saint Mary’s Church.

Arrangements were entrusted to Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home.

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