Alvin J. Coates

Alvin Joe Coates, age 98, of Dubuque, Iowa formerly of Savanna, Illinois, died Sunday, November 18, 2012 at home in Dubuque. A funeral service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, November 23, 2012 at Law-Jones Funeral Home in Savanna, Reverend Thomas Shinkle from Grand View United Methodist Church in Dubuque will officiate. Burial will take place in Savanna Township Cemetery. Visitation will be held from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be given to Hospice of Dubuque in Alvin’s memory.
Alvin was born in Peoria, Illinois on August 2, 1914, the son of Ernest and Kathryn (Hammer) Coates. On March 15, 1941 Alvin married Gladys Lucille Lahre in Dubuque. Gladys passed away on January 25, 1999. He honorably served his country in the United States Army during World War II. Alvin worked for the Milwaukee Railroad and later worked for the Savanna Army Depot as a machinist until his retirement in 1980.
Alvin was a member of the First United Methodist Church in Savanna, the American Legion. He volunteered his time to help with the Food Pantry and Meals on Wheels. He served on the BO Train Car Committee. Alvin was a life long Cubs fan. Most of all he loved spending time with his family and driving down to Savanna to have lunch with friends.
Alvin will be dearly missed by his son, Terry (Brenda) Coates of Dubuque; three grandchildren, Eric (Erin) Coates of Dubuque, Ty Coates of Bartlett, Illinois, Dominic Coates of Dubuque; five great grandchildren, Breyden, Keagen, Nicholas, Nathan and Victoria. Alvin is preceded in death by his wife, Gladys; two sisters; one brother; and his parents.