John W. Coffel

John William Coffel was a beloved husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather and friend was called home to Heaven to be with his Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, on Friday, August 19 at 11:20 p.m. John was born September 13th, 1921 in rural Linn County near LaCygne, KS to Rollie and Mae (Johnston) Coffel. John grew up in the LaCygne, Kansas area. After high school he attended trade school and worked in Bridgeport CT until he joined the Army in February, 1943. In the Army, he served as a tank driver in northern Africa and Italy until the end of the war. He received a campaign ribbon with four bronze stars, a good conduct award and a purple heart. After returning home from the Army in 1945, he moved to Kansas City, MO and worked for Western Electric Company for 38 years. In 1946 he met Gladys Francy at Bales Baptist Church and eleven months later they were married. In 2010, after 63 years of marriage, the Lord called Gladys home. John was a member of Maywood Baptist Church for over 59 years and served in many capacities including Sunday School Teacher, a Deacon and working with the children's ministry. He had a servant’s heart for the Lord. He was preceded in death by his wife Gladys, an infant daughter Sharon Lynn, his parents, brothers Kenneth and Robert and sisters Mary, Lucy and Ruth. He is survived by two sisters Thelma and Patty, his children Steve Coffel (Pam) of St. Peters, MO, Scheryl Colvin (Jim) of Independence, MO and Janet Gruning (Alan) of Ft. Myers, FI., seven grandchildren Tracie Coffel, Laurie Coffel Rhoad, Todd Colvin, Brett Colvin, Jason Colvin, Lauren Gruning Thomas and Christopher Gruning. He also leaves 8 great grandchildren, Aiden Rhoad, Amelia Rhoad, Preston Colvin, Chanciene Colvin, Izabella Colvin, Tyler Thomas, Bethany Thomas and Haley Thomas. Services will be held at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, August 24, 2016 at the Speaks Suburban Chapel, 18020 E. 39th St., Independence, Mo 64055. Burial with full military honors will be in Pleasant hill Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 6 to 8:00 p.m., Tuesday evening at the chapel. In lieu of flowers, the family encourages donations to the Maywood Baptist Building Fund. Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.speakschapel.com (Arrangements: Speaks Suburban Chapel (816) 373-3600)