Louise Coon

LOUISE COON, 90, of Orange Park, FL, passed away on April 6, 2015. The youngest of eight children, Louise was born on May 10, 1924 to Charles and Edith LaMar in Danville, IL. After formative years in Rossville, IL, her family moved to Chicago, where she graduated with honors in 1942 from Fenger High School. Louise then returned to Rossville as manager of the Self Help Grocery. In 1946 Louise married Willard I. Coon, and during the next thirty-four years championed his distinguished career with Sears, Roebuck and Company in various cities throughout the Northeast, as well as the National Headquarters in Chicago. Among many volunteer and altruistic accomplishments, Louise viewed her tenure as librarian for the Public Library in Franklin Lakes, NJ among her most valued. Early retirement afforded the couple many leisure years enjoying mobile home cross-country excursions, alternating residences between Willard’s family farm in Illinois and homes in Florida. In Sarasota, Mr. and Mrs. Coon were active charter members of the Sun’N’ Fun Community Church, and in Orange Park were supporting members of the Island View Baptist Church. Louise’s beloved Willard passed away after a brief illness in May, 2009 just weeks following their sixty-third wedding anniversary. Louise is survived by her daughter Melodee of Middleburg, FL, her son Charles of Naples, FL, grandsons Adam (Lisa), Scot and Todd (Tasha), and five great-grandchildren. A memorial service and reception will be held on Friday, April 10, 2015 at 11:00 am at the Island View Baptist Church, 900 Park Avenue, Orange Park, FL, with interment at a later date. Shared markers honoring Willard and Louise Coon will be found both at the Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, Illinois, and at the Jacksonville National Cemetery in Florida. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Northeast Florida, 4266 Sunbeam Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32257. Please sign the family’s online guestbook at www.broadusraines.com. Arrangements are under the care of Broadus-Raines Funeral Home, 501 Spring Street, Green Cove Springs, FL (904) 284-4000.