Lonnie E. Avra

Lonnie E Avra Coldwater Lonnie Avra, 59, of Coldwater, died Tuesday, September 23, 2008 in an aircraft accident in Atlanta, GA. Lonnie was the pilot and sole occupant of the aircraft. Lonnie was a well known and respected, self made, local business man. Lonnie and Karen owned and operated many local businesses including BDS Suspension, Truckmaster Distributing, Avra Warehousing and Cockburn Island Forrest products. Lonnie enjoyed the outdoors and the wilderness. He owned real estate ventures in Michigan, Florida, Alaska, Costa Rica and Ontario. He enjoyed spending time at remote locations and found peace and inspiration in the solitude it provided. Lonnie was an accomplished pilot who loved flying. He accumulated over 3000 hours time, flying single and multi-engine aircrafts. He particularly enjoyed classic tailwheel aircraft. Lonnie was a driven individual with a passion for excelling at any project that he became involved with. He was always anxious for a new adventure in the wilderness or in a new business venture. Lonnie strived for new knowledge every moment he was awake. He read hundreds of books on many topics ranging from farming operations to international bank investing. Most recently Lonnie became involved in natural foods and health care practices. He became director of and provided funding for the renovation and operation of the Creative Health Institute in Hodunk, MI. Lonnie was born November 19, 1948 in Union City, IN to Everett and Martha (Thornburg) Avra. Lonnie was married to Karen (Beckwith) Avra on November 23, 1966 in Union City, OH. They had two children, Shawn Patrick Avra and Corey Everett Avra. Lonnie was very proud to have instilled his values and business ethics in his sons, Shawn and Corey, whom he always told everyone were his two best friends. Shawn and Mary (Stark) have three children, Elizabeth Ann Avra, Patrick Mitchell Avra and Alex Shawn Avra. Corey and Michelle (Jeffrey) have two children, Allie Sue Avra and Scott Everett Avra. Shawn's oldest daughter, Katie Lynn Avra is engaged to be married to Jeff Chatfield. Lonnie is survived by Karen; their two sons and their families; his mother, Martha Avra; his brothers, Ronnie Avra, Keith Avra, Billie Avra, Freddie Avra; and his sister, Judy Avra. Lonnie was preceded in death by his brother, Randy Avra, and his father, Everett Avra. Vickie (Eddington) Ebersole and Richie Field are loved members of the family. Visitation will be Monday, September 29, 2008 from 2 - 8:00 p.m. at Dutcher Funeral Home in Coldwater. Services will be held Tuesday, September 30, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at the Coldwater First Baptist Church, with interment to follow at Oak Grove Cemetery. Donations can be made to Lonnie Avra Memorial Fund or Creative Health Institute. Please visit www.dutcherfh.com to share a thought in the family guestbook. Arrangements are being handled by Dutcher Funeral Home, 440 W. Chicago St., Coldwater, MI 49036. 517-278-2795.