Robert “RJ” Coe

Mr. Robert “RJ” Coe, 93, of Galesburg died at 5:30 am Friday, March 13, 2015 in Heartland Health Care Center.

He was born July 4, 1921 in Galesburg, Illinois the son of Joseph James and Madeline Leona Philblad Coe. He married Carol “June” Harshbarger November 26, 1938 in Burlington, Iowa. She preceded him in death on February 5, 2005.

He is survived by his son Robert D. (Trudy) Coe of Galesburg; two daughters, Patricia Jo Coe of Ft. Myers, Florida and Madelyn “CeCe” Coe of Abingdon, Illinois; eleven grandchildren, twenty-four great grandchildren and eleven great great grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his parents, his wife, two brothers and one grandson.

Robert served in the US Army during WWII with General Patton’s 3^rd Army. 4^th Ivy Leaf Division/22 Division 1944. He was awarded the Purple Heart and a Bronze Star in the Battle of the Bulge.

Robert worked as an engineer for Burlington Northern Railroad for the East Ottumwa Division for 50 years, retiring in 1994.  He was a lifetime member of the Alpha Masonic Lodge #155, and the Valley of Moline Consistory 32^nd degree. He was a lifetime member of the Ralph M. Noble American Legion Post #285. Robert was a member of the First United Methodist Church.

A Private service with Military Honors will be held in Memorial Park Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the American Legion Honor Guard. Hinchliff-Pearson-West Galesburg Chapel is assisiting the family with arrangements. Online condolences may be made at www.h-p-w.com