Harry "Wayne" Coughlin

Harry “Wayne” Coughlin, 86, passed away on July 17, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida from complications of Alzheimer’s Disease.

He was born on March 7, 1939 in Batchtown, Illinois to Martin “Harry” Coughlin and Julia Lee Snyders Coughlin. Wayne spent his formative years in Calhoun County and often reflected on his happy childhood growing up in the “old hotel” in Batchtown with his parents, sisters, and extended family.

 He graduated from Hardin High School in 1957 and obtained a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Southern Illinois University. He was a natural athlete and easily excelled in his studies. He retired from a career with the Federal Bureau of Prisons, beginning in Marion, Illinois and ending in Tallahassee, Florida. He married Myra Schleeper on April 8, 1961 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brussels, Illinois. They had two children, Jeff and Colleen. He was a loyal husband to Myra and took care of her during her extended illness before her death on May 3, 1979. 

He later married Dorothy Brady, who survives in Tallahassee, Florida. He is also survived by his son, Jeff (Angie) Coughlin of Normal, Illinois; daughter, Colleen (Mike) Blankenship of Fort Wayne, Indiana; granddaughter Marie (Collin) Vree of Bellingham, Washington; grandson Martin Coughlin of Indianapolis, Indiana; granddaughter Maura Coughlin of Chicago, Illinois; granddaughter Christine (Tyler) Gerben of Fort Wayne, Indiana and great-granddaughter, Charlotte Gerben of Fort Wayne, Indiana; sisters Mary Ann Gress of Hardin, Illinois and Debbie (Allen) Johnson of Jerseyville, Illinois. 

His sisters Iris Gress and Carol Nance preceded him in death. 

Funeral services were August 2, 2025, in Tallahassee, Florida.