Wayne E. Coby, 79, of 106 Pershing Street, Celina, OH, died 9:17 P.M. Monday, April 6, 2009, at St.Ritas Medical Center, Lima, following a sudden illness.

He was born October 8, 1929, near Rossburg in Darke County, the son of Oliver and Mary (Goodpaster) Coby.

He married LaDonna Wagner in 1951; she preceded him in death in 1973. He married Martha Schmehl Martin on June 30, 1980; she survives at the residence.

He is survived by his children: Angela (Curtis) Williams of Celina; Stephen (Sherry) Coby of Celina; Anita (Terry) Iliff of Pennington Gap, Virginia; Linda “Kate” (Roger) Rumpff of Sidney; by 35 grandchildren and 35 great-grandchildren; by three brothers: Everett “Jr.” (and Tootsie) Coby of Greenville, OH; Bob (Ozzie) Coby of Ansonia, OH; Larry Coby of Lynn, IN; by one sister, Dorothy (Jack) Schmitt of Celina.

He was preceded in death by his parents, first wife, one brother, Gerald Coby; by a sister, Betty Murphy; a brother-in-law, Jack Murphy.

Wayne was a veteran of the United States Army, having served during the Korean Conflict.

He retired from the Thermogas Company in Celina after 30 years of service. He enjoyed golfing, fishing and gardening; he was a race fan and attended the Indy 500 fifteen times; he enjoyed being busy all the time and helping out friends and family; he loved spending time with his grandchildren. He was a member of the Celina American Legion.

Funeral rites will be held 1:00 Saturday, April 11, 2009 at the Miller Funeral Home, 1605 Celina Road, St.Marys, the Reverend Bill Maki, officiating. Private family burial rites will be held at a later date.

Friends may call from 10:00 A.M. until the time of services on Saturday at the funeral home, where memorial donations may be directed to CALL Ministries in Celina.