Fred Eugene Coates

It is with profound sadness that we share the passing of our beloved husband, father, friend, brother and grandfather Fred Eugene Coates while surrounded by his family on Friday, August 23rd.
He was born in South Bend, Indiana on February 28th, 1948. While growing up in New Carlisle, Fred played football in High School where he truly started to learn the importance of hard work and dedication at a young age. Fred often Participated in school extracurriculars trying many different outlets to satisfy his active young mind.
After Graduating High School Fred joined his brother in the service to this Great Nation. Joining the US Army taught Fred the ability of focus and gave him a purpose bigger than himself; a true test of will and dedication he's always sought out.
Fred was eventually Honorably discharged from his service where he was free to follow in his father's trade of being an electrician, a family tradition of something he was very much proud of and eager to share with everyone; not only just family but friends and neighbors included.
He Studied the Trade at Lake Michigan College and graduated from the Journeyman and Electrician Program achieving his License. Taking off from the success of the education he later got a job with Whirlpool. Earning even more experience and spending several years there before taking up everything, including a new job and moving to Florida. Accepting a new job At Exide / Pacific Dunlop He spent over 12 years honing his Leadership ability with them. Many tasks were expected of him including the maintenance and upkeep of the systems, even updating and modifying the systems to fit the tasks specifically required for their needs.
While With Exide Fred lived in Texas bringing out his elaborate interests in Boots, hats and all parts of Texas Southern Tradition. With his family growing larger he heads back to his roots in Indiana. In search of a place who could properly utilize a seasoned Electrician who has all of the attributes that is needed from a veteran, but then there it was after a few months he found it. AM General! A perfect fit and another way to serve his country using the skills that helped him to get to this point in his life. With AM General the title of Master Electrician came to realization with the complexities of his assignments asked of him. He spent years teaching other talented tradesmen how to keep up with machine maintenance and carefully evaluated the manufacturing process.
After years of work and commitment to a lifetime of education and constant work in his trade Fred retires from AM General, but instead of sitting down, drinking scotch or even riding motorcycles, Fred couldn't be held back from work, the Passion that deeply motivated him so far through life had not yet come to an end. Through all of the years from state to state he maintained his own personal company as an independent contractor which he aptly named after his Daughters Tramic Electric.
Once father time had caught up to him, he finally hung up the belt for good, But Fred had locked his eyes on one last goal. Marrying his long-term partner, Ellise.
Fred is survived by his loving wife Ellise Coates, his 3 children son Jeff Buell and Daughters Michelle (Chuck) Somogyi & Tracy Coates.
Fred was blessed with 10 Grandchildren Brittany Somogyi, Zack (Jacklyn) Somogyi, Sebastian (Rachel) Buell, Dillion Buel, Cheynne (Zach) Teeter, Waltter (Colleen) Brevard, Cammy Brevard, Isaak (Kelsi) Somogyi, Xayen (Rose) Brevard, And Hunter Buell and 17 Great Grandchildren.
Siblings Ruth Hess, Rhiannon Cynawae, James (Frances) Coates, Eve (Bon Shedron) DeHaven, Lynn (Jim) Norzinskay, Marti Riffle, LaVina Samuels, and Lloyd (Dawn) Campbell and a host of cousins, nieces, nephews and Even more lifelong friends.
Close Friend of Fred and Ellise, a sister from a different mister Christine Bovo.
Was preceded in death By Father Samuel Coates, Mother Mary Catherin Stevens, Stepfather Ted Stevens, Daughter Samantha Coates, Grandson Brandon Buell, and Great Grandson Dallas Somogyi
Fred's Requested pallbearers:
Jeff Buell, Chuck Somgyi, Zach Somogyi, Sebastian Buell, Waltter Brevard, Isaak Somogyi, Xayen Brevard, and Hunter Buell.
Visitation will be from 10am till 1pm on Wednesday, August 28, 2024, in Palmer Funeral Home – River Park Chapel, 2528 Mishawaka Ave., South Bend, IN 46615 and Funeral Service will begin at 1pm in the Funeral Home. Fred will be laid to rest in Southlawn Cemetery.
A Good Man:
I
A good man never dies--
In worthy deed and prayer
And Helpful hands, and honest eyes,
If smiles or tears be there:
Who lives for you and me--
Lives for the world he tries
To help -- he lives eternally.
A good man never dies.
II
Who lives to bravely take
His share of toil and stress,
and, for his weaker fellows' sake
Makes every burden less--
He may, at last, seem worn--
Lie fallen--hands and eyes
Folded--yet, though we mourn and mourn,
A good man never dies.
- James Whitcomb Riley
Enjoy your last ride.
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