Alumni Obituary – Beth E. Coffman

Traverse City, Michigan – It is with great sadness that the Coffman family shares the passing of Beth E. (Perkins) Coffman (WS ’56) of Traverse City, MI on Feb. 16, 2021, at the age of 84. With joy and happiness, heaven has received a new angel.

Beth received her master’s degree and taught school while raising three children. With her post-graduate work, she became a specialist in early childhood and family ecology.

Her faith, family, and love of teaching were her priorities. She greatly enjoyed the challenge of teaching, with over 40 years in the profession, teaching at various times in all elementary grades as well as a college-level teacher education for three universities. All these experiences seeded within her the lifelong desire for missions and outreach. Those goals also granted her the privilege and opportunity of being a consultant in Washington, D. C. for the Regan administration in Health and Human Services.

Her greatest joy was time spent with her husband and family. She was a dedicated wife, mother, grandmother, and mentor to many. She loved to share her life experiences and education with others, helping to empower them to have hope, encouragement, and confidence to live a faith-based fulfilling family life. The family dinner table was the center of good food, fellowship, and the passing on of family value systems. She has been a lifelong committed Christian and a long-standing member of Faith Reformed Church in Traverse City.

She will be greatly missed by her husband of 65 years, Dr. Kenneth H. Coffman; daughter, Linda Lewis (Chris), of Traverse City; son, Dr. Leland Coffman (Nancy), of Des Moines; and also son, Loran Coffman (Brenda), of Lake Orion; four grandchildren, Sara Terrell (Andy), Chad Carpenter, Ken Coffman, and Nathan Coffman; and three great-grandchildren, Quinten and Silas Terrell and Avery Coffman.

The family will celebrate Beth’s life privately. Please feel free to leave a sympathy message or a memory for the family at www.reynolds-jonkhoff.com.

In the spirit of Beth’s legacy and life mission to be a mentor to others, helping build up families of faith and transforming lives generationally, the Coffman family is asking that in lieu of flowers, please make donations to the Single Momm Ministry in Traverse City and indicate in memory of Beth E. Coffman. Donations can be made online or by check, www.singlemomm.org/donate. Make checks payable to Single Momm, P.O. Box 2442, Traverse City, MI, 49685.

ABOUT CENTRAL CHRISTIAN COLLEGE OF KANSAS

Central Christian College of Kansas is a regionally accredited institution offering undergraduate and graduate-level programs. Central strives to offer Christ-centered education for the whole person – heart, mind, soul, and strength. Its history dates back to 1884, and it is located in the friendly town of McPherson, Kansas. Central is a strategically small college that offers over forty areas of residential study and a thriving online program for non-traditional students. To learn more about who Central is go to centralchristian.edu/about. Visit the Foundation of Central Christian College to see what projects and events are coming up.