Freda Coats

Freda Mae Fillinger Coats Beloved mother of seven, Freda Mae Fillinger Coats, age 87 of Bellefontaine went home to be with the Lord on Sunday, March 2nd 2014, at Logan Acres Care Center. She was born and raised near Ridgeway on July 3rd 1926, to the late George and Myra Evaughn Stevenson Penhorwood. She married Charles R. Fillinger in Greenup, Kentucky and raised her family on a farm outside of Ridgeway for several years, where she was a devoted homemaker and mother. She married Thurman Coats on February 14th 1975, and he preceded her in death on May 9th, 1991. Also preceding her in death are a daughter, Carol Myers, 2 sons, William Ray Fillinger and Michael Fillinger; a son-in-law, Don Myers, her sister, Hazel Beaver, three brothers, Nelson Penhorwood, Kermit Penhorwood, and Ray Penhorwood, sister-in-law, Phoebe Penhorwood, and brother-in-law, Harry Beaver. She went to work for Ike's Great American Restaurant, formerly known as the L&K Restaurant, as well as the Plaza Inn in Mt Victory. She served as a waitress for 30 years from 1965-1995. She was an active member of the First Christian Church of Bellefontaine and the Christian Women's club, was involved in the Friendly Senior Center, and served her community well. She volunteered at Mary Rutan Hospital for the guild and was an avid blood donor. She was a "regular" for coffee at McDonald's South and Shawnee Springs. She loved and adored the Bill Gaither vocal band and enjoyed fishing, water aerobics, and bus trips with the Friendly Seniors. She is survived by three daughters, Rita Jo (Dan) Crabtree, Columbus; Mary Jean (Allan) McGee, Reynoldsburg; and Peggy (Dave) Harris, Rushsylvania; a son Bob (Diana) Fillinger, Rushsylvania; 19 Grandchildren; 39 Great-grandchildren; one great-great granddaughter; a step-daughter, Sandy (Jim) Foster, Richwood; a step-son Mike Coats, West Mansfield; sister-in-law, Wanda Penhorwood, Urbana; special family friend, David Garner, Columbus; and many nieces and nephews. Services will be held Thursday March 6, 2014, at 11:00 a.m. at Mannasmith- Schnurrenberger Funeral Home, West Mansfield. Reverend Mike Valentine and Reverend Gene Phelps will officiate and burial will take place at Byhalia Cemetery. Friends may call from 2-4 & 6-8 p.m. on Wednesday at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Bellefontaine First Christian Church or Logan County Heart Association. Due to site maintenance, condolences may be sent directly to mannasmithfh@centurylink.net.