Person Page 1,314

Rosemary Coyne was born in 1930 in IllinoisG. She and Albert Gebben were married.

Albert Gebben and Rosemary Coyne were married.

Eileen Therese Coyne was born on August 8, 1931 in IllinoisG. She and James E. Morrison were married on February 17, 1955 in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG. She died on December 15, 2020, at age 89, in California, United StatesG.

James E. Morrison was born in 1927. He and Eileen Therese Coyne were married on February 17, 1955 in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG. He died on November 5, 1975, at age ~48, in California, United StatesG.

Dorothy Ann Coyne was born on May 3, 1935 in IllinoisG. She and Raymond Fenwick were married on August 2, 1957 in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG.

Raymond Fenwick and Dorothy Ann Coyne were married on August 2, 1957 in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG.

Thomas E. Coyne was born on July 8, 1933 in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG. He and Monique Yvonne Jako were married on August 27, 1955. He died on January 14, 2024, at age 90, in Kalamazoo, MichiganG.

Om Coyne passed away Saturday, January 14, 2024, following a brief battle with cancer. He loved a good story, both in the hearing and the writing. Sadly, this short notice cannot do justice to a life well-lived, only hit some highlights.

Eddie/Tom/Dad/Grandad was born in Chicago, IL on July 8, 1933, to Thomas Francis Coyne and Mary Kilcourse Coyne. He was the third of six children — his siblings and in-laws being Rosemary (Al Gebben); Eileen (James Morrison); Dorothy (Ray Fenwick); Jim (Kay); and Jack (Judy). Tom wrote, "I've told people all my life, I've been lucky. The first piece of luck was being born into a family that loved and cared for each other. Mom and Dad were a long way from their homes in Ireland, but they always talked about the relatives, both in Ireland and in the States, as if they were just next door. They were proud of being Irish and that pride has been instilled in all the Coyne children. Their sense of family, including extended family, was a gift."

Tom grew up on the South Side of Chicago before moving to "The Farm" across from the Midlothian Country Club, a place that gave the Coyne children a lifelong love of country life and golf (even if none became pros). Tom spent his high school years at St. Ignatius Prep ("in my estimation, the best high school in the world"), learning from his Jesuit teachers and gaining introduction to his lifelong love of distance running. Running gave him an entry to college, and his children are forever grateful that he opted for Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo, MI.

There, he met Monique Yvonne Jako in an American History class. They started dating and were married on August 27, 1955. To support their young family, Tom worked at a steel mill in Indiana, then delivered coal and fuel oil in Southeastern Michigan, then worked at a building construction firm in Chicago even as both he and Monique continued their education. With yet more luck, Tom landed a job in alumni relations at WMU and started a decades-long career on the WMU campus, eventually retiring from the position of Vice President for Student Services.

Tom and Monique had four sons - Thomas Alex, Daniel, Mark, and Michael. Tom and Monique loved their boys and raised them well. They were delighted with each new daughter-in-law (Phyllis with Tom, Linda with Dan, Sharon with Mark, and Vicki with Mike). Tom and Monique were even more delighted with the arrival of beloved grandchildren: Brian, Lauren, Maia, Peter, Kel, Jack, and Molly, who enriched their lives and brought them great joy. Tom wrote, "Nothing Monique and I have achieved over our lives can outshine our children and grandchildren. They are always in our prayers." Tom also delighted in his many nieces and nephews, cousins, and relatives near and far, in addition to his many and enduring friendships.

Active all his life at WMU, with track and running, with poker friends, and beyond, Tom and Monique were able to travel the world, and, before he passed, he fulfilled his dreams of returning to France and Ireland to see friends and family, and of driving himself, at age 90, to both coasts to do the same. As a hobby he loved to write children's stories, especially for the young people he knew.

Tom and Monique celebrated 65 years of married life, and Monique's passing in 2021 never dulled the love he always felt for her. The family has been lucky beyond belief to have had such parents, and to see their love for each other, their family, and their friends reflected tenfold. Their memory will continue to be a blessing.

Memorial services will be held later in the year. If you wish to honor his memory, we know he would appreciate a donation in his name to the charity of your choice.

Visit BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories or photos, and sign his guestbook. Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo, MI.

James Francis Coyne was born on September 15, 1936 in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG. He and Kay Higbee were married on August 16, 1963 in IowaG. He died on March 18, 2000, at age 63.

John Patrick Coyne was born on October 10, 1938 in IllinoisG. He and Judy Wederholt were married in 1979 in New York, United StatesG.

Thomas Kilcourse and Mary Cannon were married.

Mary Cannon and Thomas Kilcourse were married.

Monique Yvonne Jako was born on January 23, 1934 in FranceG. She and Thomas E. Coyne were married on August 27, 1955. She died on January 23, 2021, at age 87, in Kalamazoo, MichiganG.

Kay Higbee was born in 1938. She and James Francis Coyne were married on August 16, 1963 in IowaG.

Judy Wederholt was born on November 22, 1948 in New York, United StatesG. She and John Patrick Coyne were married in 1979 in New York, United StatesG.

Anne Gibbons was born on June 18, 1937 in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG. She and Raymond Edward Burgess were married. She died on April 4, 2017, at age 79, in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG.

Anne Loretta "Nancy" Gibbons Burgess
Birth
18 Jun 1937
Cook County, Illinois, USA
Death
4 Apr 2017 (aged 79)
Cook County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum
Evergreen Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Plot
Section J, Block 1, Grave 556
Memorial ID
257914988 · View Source.

Raymond Edward Burgess was born on November 11, 1935 in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG. He and Anne Gibbons were married. He died on April 20, 1995, at age 59, in Chicago, Cook, IllinoisG.

Raymond Edward Burgess
Birth
11 Nov 1935
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Death
20 Apr 1995 (aged 59)
Chicago, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Burial
Saint Mary Catholic Cemetery and Mausoleum
Evergreen Park, Cook County, Illinois, USA
Plot
Section J, Block 1, Lot 556
Memorial ID
56859312 · View Source.

Marilyn Gibbons and Michael Watson were married.

Michael Watson and Marilyn Gibbons were married.

Friel was married.