Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1912-07-02

Shortly after IL O'Clock Saturday
night, June 29th,' 1912, Joseph w.
Coates passed away from this life at his
home in this city. The end came
very suddenly and even g. few
moments before there was no pre-
rnonition that dissolution was at
hand. He had walked across the
chamber and was going to retire for
the night when he was stricken and
death came within a few moments.
Mrs. Coates, who was with him,
hastily summoned assistance, but he
was beyond earthly help. The life of
this strong man had gone out forever.
The sad news of his sudden demise
was great shock to his family and
to the community.
Mr.. Coates, up to within a year ago,
was strong, robust and active, and to
all it seemed that he had long and
useful life before him. At that time
he commenced to lose in weight which
did not give him any anxiety, as none
of his ancestors had grown stout as
they advanced in age. His condition
grew rapidly worse, and his family
physician, upon being called in, pro-
nounced his trouble Bright's disease.
Mr.. Coates realized his condition, and
knew that if he could not get relief
he must submit to the inevitable.
He tried every approved means to Sc
cure that relief, assisted by all pos
sible help that loving hands could
render, and that experts in medicine
could offer, and though gradually
growing weaker, he bore the ordeal
with fortitude that was remarkable.
Patient in the highest degree; cheer
full and accomplishing; most consid-
crate of everybody and imparting
good cheer to those about him, char
acterized the closing months of his
life. He was able to be about his
home most of the time, and greeted
his friends in his ever genial way
even up to within a few days before
his death.
Mr.. Coates held high place in the
hearts Of our people. His ability,
excellent judgment, and sterling quail
titles made him man that was con-
tinually sought after. His dry humor,
genial, friendly and kindly ways and
willingness to enlist his services in
every good cause, whether it was for
the community at large or for individ-
ual cases CT charity, made him very
popular with everybody and his death
has caused universal sorrow.
Joseph w. Coates was fifty-five
years of age; he was born in White
Deer Valley, Lycoming, Pa. He was
educated in the common schools of
his home town and later attended
Millersburg academy and the normal
school of Pennsylvania. He fitted
himself for an attorney at law and
| practiced his profession first in Wich-
tia, Kan, where he was very success
full. In 1898 he went to ST. Louis to
accept the management of large in
surance company's business, and this
brought him at times into this state.
In 1902 he was united in marriage to
Jeanette NJ. Mercer of this city, and
since then he has resided in Wausau,
entering into the practice of law, and
| he became prominent and widely
known in this section of the state.
He is survived by his wife and four
children--Helen, Josephine, John and
Robert, also by one sister, Mrs. John
Tate, of .Allenwood, Pa.
The funeral services were held from
the home this Tuesday morning at 10
O'Clock. Rev. W. II. Gould, pastor of
the First Universalist church, S&ciat-
ing. Rev. Gould, though having re-
sided in WauSau but short time,
was very close to Mr.. Coates during
his illness. Having spoken of the
common and deep sympathy of wide
circle of friends for the family and
relatives in their sorrow, Mr.. Gould
said, in part:
obviously, since making his home
in our city, Mr.. Coates has made
many and strong friends. The quail
ity of his life and character has been
such as 20 make a lasting impression
upon those who have the privilege OF
knowing him well. 1t is comfort
and help to consider simply and brief
ly, as we must needs do at this time,
some of the elements of that charac-
ter which will cause his memory tC
abide in our minds and hearts. OF a
naturally reserved and retiring tenn
permanent, he did not at first or even
quickly reveal the fine and loyable
traits of a well rounded manhood
But the common experience of every
friend whose testimony we have
heard shows that growing acquaint
ance brought growing appreciation
and regard for the quality and worth