Vernon E. "Vern" Coe, age 89 of Rodney, passed away Thursday, March 5, 2020, at Royal View Retirement Community. He was born March 6, 1930, in Deerfield Township, the son of Elmer and Alta (Helms) Coe. Vern was a 1948 graduate of Big Rapids High School. He honorably served his country as a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He married Dolores Livengood Burwell on August 5, 1952, in Bridgman and together they raised their family in Big Rapids. Vern was a barber for 42 years. During this time, he owned and operated Campus Barber Shop until he retired. Vern and Dolores were missionaries with JAARS (Jungle Aviation and Radio Service) and Wycliffe Bible Translators. While they were stationed, Vern built and designed computer desks and new cabinets for the missionaries. He enjoyed the outdoors; hunting, fishing, canoeing, tending to his apple orchard, and feeding the birds. Vern was a man with many talents. He was a skilled woodworker, mechanic, photographer, and loved flying and aviation. In his younger years, Vern served as secretary of the Rotary Club of Big Rapids and he served as president of the Pilot Association at Roben-Hood Airport. Vern was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church in Big Rapids and most recently Charity Baptist Church in Paris. He was a loving husband, father, grandfather, great grandfather, uncle and friend. Vern will be greatly missed by all who knew him. He is survived by his wife of 67 years, Dolores Coe of Rodney; two children, Forrest (Marilyn) Coe of Fox River Grove, Illinois and Carrie (Dennis) Zandi of Lakemoor, Illinois; son-in-law, Larry (Glenda) Whitesell of Tipton, Indiana; seven grandchildren, Jennifer, Warren, Maureen, Amy, Julie, Michelle, and Kathryn; 21 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Vern was preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Alta Coe; daughter, Nancy Whitesell; and four sisters, Leone Lake, Eleanor Olson, Virginia Stevens, and Cleo Higley. Funeral services will take place at 11:00 a.m. Friday, March 13, 2020, at the Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home in Big Rapids with Pastor Bruce Peterson and Pastor Bob King officiating. The family will greet friends from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. Thursday, March 12, at the funeral home and again one hour prior to the funeral on Friday at the funeral home. Vern will be laid to rest at Altona Cemetery in Lakeview in the Spring. Memorial contributions may be made to Wycliffe Bible Translators, PO Box 628200, Orlando, Florida. Share a memory or leave a condolence for the family by clicking the guestbook tab at www.daggettgilbertfuneralhome.com Funeral Service Friday, March 13, 2020 11:00 AM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,Michigan 49307 Visitation Friday, March 13, 2020 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,Michigan 49307 Visitation Thursday, March 12, 2020 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Daggett-Gilbert Funeral Home 13985 Northland Drive Big Rapids,Michigan 49307