Cordell Earl Coats, Sr.

Cordell Earl Coats, Sr., 77, of Sorento, IL, passed away at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at his residence.

Mr. Coats was born October 16, 1941 in Chapin, IL, the son of Cecil Earl and Dorothy Pauline (Neece) Coats.  He attended schools in the Alton area, and entered the United States Army in June of 1961, where he served as a cook.  Tours of duty included Guam, Thailand, Okinawa, and the Hawaiian Islands.  Following his service, he married Wilma Long on December 12, 1964 at the Assembly of God in Sorento.  Mr. Coats worked for the Duncan Foundry in Alton, Simpson Lee Paper Mill in Vicksburg, MI, farmed in Jacksonville, IL, and then became police officer for the Village of Sorento in June of 1974.  He worked for the village for 3½ years, before joining the Bond County Sheriff’s Department.  Mr. Coats worked for Bond County for 13 years, becoming Chief Deputy.  Later he worked in security for United Stationers in Greenville, until his retirement in 2005.  Mr. Coats was a member of the American Legion, past president of Bond County Law Enforcement Association, and a member of the First Christian Church of Greenville.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson, Cordell Earl Coats III; brothers, Charles and Timothy Coats; sister, Dorothy White; and nephew, Kelly Robinson.

Mr. Coats is survived by his wife, Wilma Coats of Sorento, IL; daughters, Deina (Michael) Mossman, Sr. of Sorento, IL, and Mendy Lou Coats Jett of Litchfield, IL; son, Cordell Earl (Wendy) Coats II of Sorento, IL; grandchildren, Matthew (Stephanie), Michael, and Hannah Mossman, Alex and Jessica Jenkins, Les and Jennifer Jett, Mark Steele, and Brittany and Kyle Coats; great grandchildren, Tristen, Peyton Renee, and Makenzy Jenkins, and Serenity and Jade Mossman; sisters, Lula Fralicx of Parchmont, MI, Bertha (Glenn) Covey of Jacksonville, IL, Bonnie Eaton of Hillsboro, IL, and Wanda Robinson of CO; and several nieces and nephews.

Cremation will be provided, and private family burial will be held at Sunnyside Cemetery in Sorento.

The family will host a Celebration of Life at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, July 21, 2019 at the Village of Sorento Community Center, 105 E. Taylor St., Sorento, IL 62086.  The community is invited to join the family for a potluck, and donations of food may be made to the community center the day of the celebration.

Memorial contributions may be made to:  First Christian Church, 1324 Killarney Dr., Greenville, IL 62246, Reno Baptist Church, 661 16th Ave., Reno, IL 62246, or Assembly of God, 303 S. Hill St., Sorento, IL 62086.

Perfetti-Assalley Funeral Home, 201 S. Main St., Sorento, IL 62086 has been entrusted with ceremonies.

Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to offer condolences to the family.