Joe Coakley

Joe Coakley, of Edison, Nebraska, passed away peacefully in his home on Tuesday, January 4, 2011 at Edison at the age of 68 years, 3 months and 7 days. The family is honoring Joe's wishes for a Private Family Memorial services to be held at a later date.

Joe Coakley was born on September 28, 1942 in Denver, Colorado, the youngest son of L. T. and Opal (King) Coakley.

In 1945, the Coakley family moved and farmed between Oxford and Edison, Nebraska. Joe attended grades 1st through 8th at New Era rural school and then 9th through 12th grade at Oxford High School, where he graduated in 1960. He then attended Kearney State College until he joined the U.S. Navy in 1963. During this time he met Catherine Kennedy and on March 7, 1964 they were united in marriage at Camden, Tennessee. To this union two children were born: daughter, Joanna Lynn and son, Joe Lowell. Joe was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy on December 26, 1966 and then he came home to farm with his father.

In September 1971, Joe and Cathy built and operated the Cornhusker Club in Oxford. During the time they operated the Cornhusker, they also owned and operated the 5&1 Club in Republican City, Nebraska. After selling the clubs, Joe and Cathy moved to Denver, Colorado, where they both worked for Continental Airlines. From there they moved to Pennsylvania where Joe ran his own electrical contractor business, known as Coakley Electric. In 1999, Joe and Cathy moved back to Edison, where they ran both the Edison Café and the Oxford Café until Joe retired.

Joe enjoyed gardening, fishing, hunting, and having coffee with the guys in town.

He was preceded in death by his father, L. T. Coakley and grandson, Jonathan Lowell.

He leaves to mourn his passing, his mother, Opal (King) Coakley of Arapahoe, Nebraska; his wife of 46 years, Cathy Coakley of Edison; daughter, Joanna Ellis and her husband, Jim and their children: Adam, Dylan, Jerry, Roger and Eric all of Edison; son, Joe Coakley and his wife, Anne-Susan and their children: Zach, Josh, and Mathew all of Honey Brook, Pennsylvania; brother, Roger Coakley and his wife, Darla of Thousand Oaks, California; nephew, Brad Coakley and family; niece, Cristen Mendell and family; and a host of relatives and friends.

A memorial has been established in his memory and will be designated at a later date.

Expressions of caring and kindness can be sent to the family at www.nelsonbauerfh.com

The Mitchell-Nelson-Bauer Funeral Home of Oxford is in charge of arrangements.