Charles (Charlie) Coffin

Charles J. Coffin

May 24, 1941 – August 18, 2025

Charles (Charlie) Coffin passed away peacefully into the arms of his Lord & Savior on the morning of August 18, 2025, “blessed beyond measure” at the age of 84. While bittersweet for us, we are certain those are the words Charlie would use to describe his home-going as he did his life.

Born to Art & Ellen Coffin in Dearborn, MI on May 24, 1941, Charlie spent his early childhood in Bessemer, MI and the remainder in Soap Lake, WA, along with his brothers, Tom and Howard. He graduated from Soap Lake High School in 1959 and received his bachelor’s degree in economics from Central Washington College. He was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the US Air Force in 1963. 

Charlie was a member of the 65-XC, the experimental class to first fly the C130 aircraft into Vietnam. While stationed at Clark Airforce Base in the Philippines, Charlie met the love of his life, Lee Anne, who was working at the base hospital with the American National Red Cross. The couple wed on August 6, 1967, and lived their first few years together on Langley Airforce Base in Virginia, where they welcomed their first-born daughter, Becky. Charlie was promoted to the rank of Captain, and aside from flying missions, his duties included being an instructor pilot and test pilot. He was honorably discharged in 1969 and moved his family to Lee Anne’s hometown in the San Francisco Bay Area, where they welcomed younger daughter, Cathy, a few years later. 

After his military service, Charlie was employed by Bank of America for 16 years as a loan officer, branch manager and Vice President. He was active in the business community with positions on the local hospital board, Chamber of Commerce, and Manufacturers’ Association. In 1987, he opened the San Leandro, CA branch of CivicBank of Commerce (later merging with City National Bank) as a branch manager and Vice President, and in 2003 Charlie retired from banking. From then on, he and Lee Anne realized their dream of living in the mountains when they moved to the foothills of Yosemite to the former goldmining town of Coarsegold, CA, until they started a new chapter of life in Pennsylvania in 2020.

After turning to Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior, Charlie lived his professional and personal life serving the Lord by serving others. He loved being a greeter at church with his legendary handshake, ministering to the residents of Baywood Court senior living facility with weekly services, and hosting small group gatherings in their home. Distributing Bibles locally through Gideons International and serving as the California State Chaplain for several years were Charlie’s passion over the past 30 years.

For many years, Charlie loved to run, hike, and enjoy annual backpacking trips with buddies in the California High Sierras. His ability to successfully tackle most home improvement projects and appliance repairs himself was remarkable, and Charlie could be found tinkering quite a bit on his Shop Smith in the garage on many a weekend. He loved to travel near and far, and throughout the California Sierras his favorite mode of transportation undoubtedly was his Harley—often riding double with Lee Anne in the back seat. Charlie took pleasure in tracing his lineage to the original settlers of Nantucket Island and enjoyed traveling there on several vacations through the years. Most of all, Charlie loved to connect with people and was always available and ready to help, whatever the need.

Charlie is survived by his wife of 58 years, Lee Anne (Watson); daughter Becky Ellerbusch (Kirk); daughter Cathy Justice (Jeff); 5 grandchildren: Jacque Ellerbusch (Phil), Brennan Ellerbusch, Jenna Horsley (Kenny), Nathan Justice, Ryan Justice; 1 great-grandson (Phillip); brother Tom (Stephanie) Coffin; brother Howard (Sandy) Coffin.

Charlie will receive military funeral honors in the presence of his honored family.

The family warmly welcomes you to a Celebration of Life service for Charlie on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at 11am at Centerpoint Community Church, 118 Community College Drive, Monaca, PA 15061. Lunch reception to follow in the Fellowship Hall.

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