Jean Coffin Obituary

Jean LaRue (Fischbach) Coffin, 81, passed away Sunday, Nov. 26, at Miami Valley Hospital in Dayton. She was born in Lima on Feb. 13, 1942, to Richard and Deloris (Kipp) Fischbach, who preceded her in death. Her parents instilled a love of the Lord and she was His faithful and passionate servant until the end. 
Jean graduated from DeSoto County High in Arcadia, Florida, and Florida State University, with a degree in Education. Jean met the love of her life, Gordon Lawrence Coffin, on a beach in Sarasota, Florida, and the two were married on Dec. 18, 1965 in New Knoxville, Ohio.
Jean taught special education at schools in Jackson Center, Waynesfield, Minster and New Knoxville, as well as A.B.L.E. in St. Marys. She had a gift for teaching and loved reading books and creating fun activities with her children and, later, eight grandchildren.  
Jean and Gordon did everything together. They had a passion for travel and explored all 50 states as well as Canada, Mexico, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the Caribbean. Her fondest memories were of trips with all her children and grandchildren to the North Carolina and Georgia shores, Tennessee mountains, Jamaica, and a weeklong Christmas cruise traveling to the Caribbean islands.
Jean loved God's creation and gardening and was especially fond of birds, butterflies, and flowers. She was known as the Mother of Monarchs, raising and releasing hundreds of butterflies from her home. In the spring, visitors to her home marveled at her yard filled with hundreds of daffodils and daisies. She enjoyed cooking, reading, sewing, and art and was known for her fabulous pies, which she often baked for lucky neighbors and friends. As a child, she fished in Grand Lake St. Marys with her dog, and shared her love of fishing with her children and grandchildren.
Survivors include her husband, Gordon Coffin, of St. Marys, Ohio, daughters Kimberly (Robert) Johnson of Palm City, FL, Heather (Brian) Beaubien of Avondale Estates, GA, and son John Coffin of Oakwood, OH; and grandchildren Calvin Coffin, Claudia (AJ) Coffin Collins, Amelia Johnson, Lindsey Coffin, Samuel Johnson, Lili Coffin, Walter Beaubien, and Leah Beaubien.
The service will be held at Otterbein SeniorLife St. Marys, 11230 OH-364, St Marys, OH, on Thursday, Nov. 30. Visitation begins at 9:30 a.m., with the service following at 10:30 a.m. All are welcome to the interment immediately following the service, at the Pilger Ruhe Cemetery, 06299 New Bremen New Knoxville Rd, New Knoxville, OH.  
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Disabled American Veterans or Save Our Monarchs, or the charity of your choice.
Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, Saint Marys, is entrusted with Jean's funeral arrangements.
Condolences and memories may be shared with Jean's family via MillerFuneralHomes.net.