George T. Coats, 84, of West Bend, died Thursday, Dec. 5, 2002 at his residence.

He was born on Dec. 24, 1917 in Mukwonago to the late Francis and Signe (nee Olson) Coats. Georges served in the U.S. Army in the Pacific Theater during World War II. After his discharge in 1944, he settled in Milwaukee.

After his retirement, he lived in Waukesha, Jackson and presently lived at Cedar Ridge in West Bend. He spent the winters in McAllen, Texas for many years.

On April 3, 2001, he was united in Holy Matrimony to Virginia Redeker (nee Frei) at Holy Cross Lutheran Church in Menomonee Falls.

George loved square dancing, dancing three or four nights a week. Since coming to West Bend, he was a member of Pilgrim Lutheran Church and was a member of the "Boots and Slippers" Square Dance Club.

Survivors include his wife, Virginia; six children, Linda (Ronald) Wheeler of Moline, Ill., Ernie Coats of Ventura, Calif., Steve (Mary) Keppen of Pewaukee, Randy (Cathy) Redeker of Menomonee Falls, Robin (Cliff) Massingale of Corona, Calif., and Robert (Donna) Redeker of Slinger; 11 grandchildren; one great-grandson; two sisters, Ethel Young in Florida and Nancy (Ralph) Kind of Mukwonago; one brother, Francis (Judy) Coats of Rochester Hills, Mich. and other relatives and friends. He was preceded in death by his wife Elizabeth.

Memorial services will be held on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2002 at 4:30 p.m. at Pilgrim Lutheran Church, West Bend with Pastor Joseph Fisher officiating. Inurnment of the cremated remains will be at Washington County Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to Pilgrim Lutheran Church. The family will greet relatives and friends at Pilgrim Lutheran Church from 4 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday, and also after the service in the fellowship hall at the church. The Schmiodt Funeral Home, West Bend, is serving the family.