Merlin R. Coty

Coty, Merlin R.
Bay City, Michigan
Merlin passed away Wednesday morning, April 23, 2014 at Auburn Heights Senior Care in Auburn. Age 76 years. The son of the late Ernest and Myrtle (LeBaron) Coty was born October 22, 1937 in Merrill MI. Merlin was a member of Holy Trinity Catholic Church. He retired from Dow Chemical Company after 35 years of service. He enjoyed woodworking, had a great love for baseball and coached the summer leagues in Bay City and Auburn for 20 years. Merlin proudly served his country in the U.S. Army during the Korean Conflict and Vietnam.Left behind to cherish his memory is his wife the former Carol J. Schindler-Hardy whom he married March 23, 1996, his children; Renae Coty and Curt (Diane) Coty, his step children; Mark (Kathy) Hardy and Matthew (Rachel) Hardy, his grandchildren; Bryce and Zoya Coty, his step grandchildren; Brittany, Emily, Madeline and Mackenzie Hardy, his brothers and sisters;  Gary (Carla) Coty, Carmen Coty, Norman Coty, Ernest Coty, Loretta (John) Mertins, Sue Vega, Ray (Laura) Coty and Kenneth (Tonya) Coty, many nieces and nephews. In addition to his parents he was also preceded in death by his first wife Janet P. Fournier-Coty and one sister; Connie Cross.The Funeral Liturgy will be celebrated Saturday, April 26, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Holy Trinity Catholic Church. The celebrant will be Rev. Fr. Robert S. Gohm. A Private Rite of Committal and Military Honors conducted by the Bay County Veterans Council will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery in Fisherville. The family will be present at the Gephart Funeral Home, Inc. on Friday to receive family and friends from 2:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Vigil for the Deceased will take place Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Merlin will be taken to the church to lie in state on Saturday from 9:00 a.m. until the time of services. Those planning an expression of sympathy may wish to consider donations to the Toni and Trish House or to a Charity of the Donors choice in Merlin's memory.