Thomas “Tom” Joseph Coffey Sr., 78, of Cambria, passed away Friday, July 29, 2022, at Memorial Hospital in Carbondale, surrounded by his family.
Services will be held at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 2, 2022, at Riggin-Pillatsch & Burke Funeral Home in Carterville, with Rev. R.H. Chitwood officiating. Military rites will immediately follow. Visitation will be from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, at the funeral home. Burial will be held at a later date.
Memorial contributions can be made to the Cambria Community Home Missions, c/o Martha Burns, P.O. Box 382, Cambria, IL 62915.
Tom was born October 12, 1943, in Springerton, Illinois, to Thomas Henry and Myrna Rhea (Cathey) Coffey. He married Suzzette Rene Waldron on November 29, 1997, in Blairsville.
He is survived by his wife, Suzzette Coffey of Cambria; daughters, Kimberly (George) Valentine of Evanston, Indiana, Tammy (Gary) Klein of Sparta, Tracy Hardcastle of Berwyn, Illinois, Holly (Eric) Wheetley of Pendleton, Indiana, and Robin (Erica) McFarlin of Cambria; son, Thomas (Leisa, “FDIL”) Coffey Jr. of Rockport, Indiana; sisters, Jocelyn Fleming of Sparta, and Shoye (Jeff) Wahlig of New Athens; brother-in-law, Troy (Mathew) Waldron of Dunedin, Florida; grandchildren, Brandon Parks, Janaye Floyd, Mason Herrell, Jasmine, Joshua, Jaeden, Jocelyn, and Jacey Valentine, Joel and Cody Klein, Ian Hardcastle, Brooklyn Bowlin, Blake Morgan, Chaz English, Alice, Lauren, and Kaitlyn Wheetley, Hilary Jo, T.J. (III), Bradyn, and Draxtyn Coffey, and Makayla Veach; 18 great-grandchildren; beloved dog, Mattie; good friend and helper, Julie Holland; and special buddy, Bret Wojciechowski.
Tom was preceded in death by his mother and step-father, Myrna and Chester Gaines; maternal grandparents, Mattie and Clement Cathey; father, Thomas H. Coffey; and half-brother, Thomas H. Coffey Jr.
He honorably served our country in the United States Air Force.
Tom was a heavy equipment operator for Peabody Coal Company in Marissa and retired after more than 30 years.
Tom loved JESUS, his beloved fur baby, Mattie Girl, daily drives with Suzzette to the Carterville McDonalds for his Mocha Frappe. He also loved our family and friends and many grand and great grandchildren. One of his greatest joys was to sit around the table at holidays and listen to his kids reminisce about their childhood.
He was a gifted self-taught 5 String bass player. His favorite music was older country, country gospel and anything that his buddy, Dale Myers, played. He was a member of several bands: Denim and Lace, Charlie T’s Shot “O” country band, Last Call Gospel band, Shasteen Family Singers, White Stone Gospel band, and Dale Myers and his hillbilly band. He also played for the Lord on many Church platform groups including: SWICC in Sparta with Dian Collier, Faith Assembly of God Church in Du Quoin with Pastor Keith Filer, Gods House of Prayer and Sunday nights at Christian Covenant Fellowship in Carterville, to name a few.
He was also a member of UMWA Local Union 1148 in Marissa, Illinois, the Christian Motorcyclist Association, the Cambria Fire Department, and the Blue Heron Boat Club for many years. He loved retirement and his wife, Suzzette for 25 years.
Tom dearly loved HIS ALABAMA “Crimson TIDE” football team. ROLL TIDE ROLL.
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