Rev. Herbert H. Coates, 90

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The Rev. Herbert H. Coates, 90, died Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2020, at Lincolnshire Place: A Memory Care Facility in Decatur, with family members by his side.

Funeral services were held Monday, Feb. 17, at the Greenville Free Methodist Church. Donnell-Wiegand Funeral Home in Greenville was in charge of arrangements.

Mr. Coates was born Nov. 5, 1929, in Springfield, to the Rev. C.H. Coates and Fadra (Smith) Coates. He married Mary Louise Britt of West Lafayette, IN, in 1951, and she preceded him in death on Oct. 15, 2012.

A 1947 graduate of Feitshans High School in Springfield, he graduated from Greenville College in 1955 with a bachelor of arts degree in philosophy and religion. 

Elected to the Greenville College Board of Trustees from 1968 to 2005, he served as board secretary from 1978 to 2000.

He served as pastor of several Free Methodist churches, including Dallas City from 1951 to 1954, Hillsboro from 1954 to 1956, Springfield from 1956 to 1967, Vandalia from 1967 to 1974, Decatur from 1974 to 1986, and as the Central Illinois Free Methodist Conference superintendent from 1986 to 1995.

Following retirement, he served as pastor of senior care for the Greenville Methodist Church for several years.

He is survived by his five children, Charles Edward (Christine), Celesta Kay (David) Ball, Herbert Wayne (Sheryl), Gerald Wesley (Jan) and Stephen Mark (Laura); 16 grandchildren, Fadra Coates, Olivia Coates, Marjory Coates, Joshua Ball, Wesley (Tiffany) Ball, Bryce Ball, Sharla Ball, Greg Coates, Kyle (Katrina) Coates, Rachel Truitt, Stephen Coates, Jonathan (Kate) Coates, Benjamin Coates, Taryn (Brian) Jones, Kendra (Justin) Sovine and Carson Coates; and seven great-grandchildren.

In addition to his parents and wife, he was preceded in death by brothers, Merlin and Robert; and sisters, Norma Schien, Lorene Groves, Roberta Young and Fadra Delamarter.

Memorials may be made to Greenville University, the Gateway Conference of the Free Methodist Church or the Free Methodist World Missions.

Online condolences may be left at www.donnellwiegand.com.