Carol Elizabeth (Dewitt) Coggin

Carol Elizabeth (Dewitt) Coggin was born in Billings, Nov. 20, 1924 to Bruce T.and Thirza (Garbee) DeWitt and departed this life peacefully on Jan. 13, 2021. Coggin was an accomplished pianist and organist, having served at Hood United Methodist Church for a lifetime, beginning at age 10. Over the years she gave piano lessons to hundreds of students in the Republic area. Coggin attended Republic schools and was valedictorian of her graduating class. After graduation she attended Drury College and later was employed at O’Reilly Hospital. She met the love of her life, Herbert Coggin, when she was a young girl. They were married on Feb. 27, 1945 and celebrated almost 76 years of marriage. During their early years of marriage, they traveled from Boston to San Francisco while he was in the Navy. After WWII ended, they lived on the family farm until 1964 when they built their home in Republic, where they made a lifetime of special memories. Carol was preceded in death by her parents, four brothers, one sister and her beloved son, Randy. She is survived by her husband Herbert Coggin; sons Stan (Cathie) Coggin, Brad (Susan) Coggin and daughter Marti (Randy) Towe, brother Porter (Brenta) DeWitt, eight grandchildren; 15 great-grandchildren, and a host of nieces and nephews. An open visitation (family was not in attendance) was from 2-4 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 17, 2021 in Meadors Funeral Home, Republic. Funeral services were at 10 a.m. Monday, Jan. 18, 2021 in Meadors Funeral Home, Republic, with burial following in Yeakley Cemetery, Springfield.