Mr. Donald J. Coffin, age 79, of New Castle, DE, died on Sunday, April 4, 2010, at his home after a long illness. 

Born in Laurel, DE, on November 2, 1930, Mr. Coffin was a son of the late Harvey Coffin and Rebecca Moore Coffin. He was a lab technician by profession and retired from the DuPont Company after 35 years of service. 

A devout Christian, Mr. Coffin had been a member of Hope Lutheran Church since 1959, only one year after the church's founding. He was a talented chess player throughout his life and belonged to several local chess clubs He was a devoted family man most of all and especially enjoyed watching his grandsons play sports. 

He is survived by his beloved wife of 57 years, Joan L. Outten Coffin; son, Donald J. Coffin, Jr. and his wife, Bonnie, of Statesville, NC; grandsons, Tyler Coffin and Jacob Coffin; sister, Mary Frances Luzier of Millsboro, DE; sister-in-law, Shirley McCabe; and many nieces and nephews, including Barbara Ellis. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by siblings, Granville Coffin, Pauline Helms, and Betty Wilson. 

Visitation will be held from 9:30-10:30 am on Thursday, April 8, at Hope Lutheran Church, 230 Christiana Road (Rt. 273) at Edinburgh Drive, New Castle, DE. A funeral service will follow at 11 am. Interment will be in Gracelawn Memorial Park, 2220 N. DuPont Parkway, New Castle, DE. 

In lieu of flowers, contributions in memory of Mr. Coffin may be made to Hope Lutheran Church, 230 Christiana Rd., New Castle, DE 19720; or Helen F. Graham Cancer Center, c/o Christiana Care, PO Box 1668, Wilmington, DE 19899; or Compassionate Care Hospice, 702 B Kirkwood Highway, Wilmington, DE 19805. 

To sign guest book, visit spicermullikin.com  

SPICER-MULLIKIN FUNERAL HOMES & CREMATORY 302-328-2213 

[published 04/06/2010]

Donald J. Coffin - may you rest in peace.