Francis Coyne

Francis “JR” Coyne, 89, of Monroeville passed away Wednesday, June 5, 2024, at Swiss Village in Berne. He was born July 31, 1934, in Decatur to Francis and Mary (Temple) Coyne. He was married Sep. 10, 1982, to Patti Salway and recently celebrated 41 years of marriage.
He graduated from Decatur Catholic High School in 1952. He loved basketball, gardening, hunting and fishing. He sang in the choir at Besoncon for many years and started the annual choir fish fry dinner. Though these were his passions, his love for God, his wife and his family surpassed that. He was always willing to give what he could to help others and was very generous with his time. He loved giving children a dollar bill and finding money on the sidewalk. He ate more than any man we knew, and he never gained weight.  
He was a member of the Army National Guard for six years. He joined International Harvester in 1954 as an inspector in the heavy truck department and enjoyed an early retirement in 1986. He had a good life and thoroughly enjoyed it.
He is survived by his wife; five daughters, Karen Kaehr; Kristy (Lyle) Haines; Kathy (Henry) Pearson; Beth Coyne; and Reba (Mark) McMillen; two sons, Jim (Carol) Salway; and Barry (Vonda) Salway; six siblings, Dick Coyne; Rosie Brown; and Pat Brown, all of Ohio; Dolly Ross; and Jim Coyne, both of Indiana; and Dort Litchfield of Wisconsin.
He was preceded in death by his parents; and son-in-law, Scott Kaehr.
Visitation will be Monday, June 10 from 3-7 p.m. at Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home in Decatur and Tuesday, June 11 for one hour prior to the 11 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Louis Besancon Catholic Church, 15535 Lincoln Hwy E., New Haven. Officiating will be Fr. Tyrell J. Alles, O.S.B. Burial will be at St. Louis Cemetery. Military graveside rites will be conducted by the American Legion Adams Post 43 Color Guard.
Memorials may be made to the National Wild Turkey Federation.
Arrangements provided by Haggard-Hirschy & Zelt Funeral Home in Decatur. To sign the guest book, click on www.hhzfuneralhome.com.