Airl A. Coffey, 89, of Shelbyville, passed away Tuesday, December 19, 2023, at Franciscan St. Francis Health in Indianapolis.
He was born September 29, 1934, in Russell Springs, Kentucky, the son of William Finley and Mary (Thornton) Coffey. On September 29, 1955, Airl married Retta Dockery, and she preceded him in death on May 26, 2013.
Airl is survived by his daughter, Jere Wise and husband, Dennis, of Shelbyville; sons, Clint Coffey and wife, Tina, of Needham, and Airl K. Coffey and wife, Jill, of Shelbyville; grandchildren, Brent McNeely and wife, Tiffany, Haley Wise, Austin Coffey and wife, Kristina, Corbin Coffey and wife, Liz, Jacob Knight, Hannah Knight, Brayden Coffey and wife, Lyndsey and Mitchell Coffey; great-grandchildren, Kadyn McNeely, Keagan McNeely, Kellen Coffey, Amaya Coffey, Riley Dunn and Kaiser Coffey; and numerous nieces and nephews.
In addition to Retta, Airl was preceded in death by his parents; and a grandson, Chase Hubler.
Airl was one of the 13 children born to William and Mary, his siblings are Lois Kimbler, Ann Lyons, Udene Sullivan, Grideth Coffey, Dimple Young, Elmo Coffey, Leon Coffey, Dravo Coffey, Onis Coffey, Ada Farmer; and twin brothers, Jimmie Coffey and Jerry Coffey.
In 1952, Airl graduated from Russell County High School.
He retired in 1999, from Monument Distribution, with over 20 years of service.
Airl was a member of numerous tractor clubs including being a lifetime member of the Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association.
He was a professional horseshoe thrower and was also a member of the National Horseshoe Pitchers Association (NHPA).
Airl enjoyed going fishing, hunting and working in his gardens. He also enjoyed attending tractor shows, shooting pool and riding his Harley. His favorite cars were Cadillacs.
He was very well known as the ladderman, for his creating of ladders in a bottle. Airl sent each state one for display in their state museum.
Visitation will be from 10 am to Noon, Saturday, December 23, 2023, at the Freeman Family Funeral Homes and Crematory, Carmony-Ewing Chapel, 819 S. Harrison St. in Shelbyville.
Funeral services will follow at Noon on Saturday, at the funeral home.
Interment will be at Forest Hill Cemetery in Shelbyville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Grover Museum, 52 W. Broadway St., Shelbyville, Indiana 46176.
Online condolences may be shared with Airl’s family at www.freemanfamilyfuneralhomes.com.
