Albert S. Coutant's Obituary
CHARLESTON, IL - Albert S. Coutant, Jr., age 96 of Charleston, passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2015 while at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center. Visitation for family and friends will be held the Sunday following Christmas, December 27, 2015 from 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Memorial Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 2:00 p.m. immediately following the visitation with Mr. Russ Sanderson officiating and Military Services to be conducted by the Charleston VFW Paul McVey Post 1592. A Private Inurnment will be in Rest Haven Memorial Gardens at a later date. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to the American Cancer Society or to the E.I.U. Foundation - Whiteside Garden. Gifts may be left during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920. Albert was born June 2, 1919 in New Paltz, New York to the late Albert S. and Clarenda (Newkirk) Coutant. Albert received his Bachelors Degree in Forestry from Syracuse University and honorably served his country during World War II with the United States Air Force. During most of his active service time he was stationed in China as a meteorologist. While he was stationed at Chanute Air Force Base in Rantoul he had a blind date with Mary K. Rennels. The two married on June 12, 1943 in Decatur, Illinois and celebrated the birth of two sons and 48 years of marriage prior to her death on July 27, 1991. Albert later married Mary C. (Merritt) Adams in January of 1995 and she preceded him in death on September 28, 2014. He is survived by his two sons, Larry Coutant and wife Nancy of Charleston and Alan Coutant and wife April of Dunlap, IL; three grandchildren, Lauren (Eric) Garrison of Knoxville, TN, Ashley (Aaron) Coutant-Bates of Detroit, MI, and Abby (Steve Hoppe) Coutant of Washington, D.C.; and a great-grandchild, Adelyn Bates. In addition to both wives, he was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Coutant and a grandson, William Gerrit Coutant. Albert and Mary settled north of Charleston and Albert farmed the Rennels family farm located northwest of town in Seven Hickory Township. He also served as a field supervisor for the Farm Service Agency and was co-owner of W.E. Rennels Seed Company that produced broomcorn seed. He was a member of the Coles County Farm Bureau and a past member of its Board of Directors. He had been a longtime member of the Walnut Grove Christian Church and was a past president of the Kaskaskia Archeological Society and a member of the American Legion. Albert was a man of many talents and varied interests. He was a rock hound and a skilled lapidary, always in search of that perfect stone to polish and transform into a beautiful piece of jewelry. He also used his skills as a silversmith in many of his creations. In the early 1960's Albert traveled to Panama to teach the Panamanians how to grow and process broomcorn. He was an avid bowler, loved his cats, and was very knowledgeable in many areas, including Midwest archeology, and he kept up with world events. Albert truly enjoyed his years in New York and he took his family back at every opportunity to spend time at the family cabin located in the Adirondack Mountains. Albert lived his life with a spirit of humility and kindness, enjoyed many enduring friendships and was loved by all. His family remained an important and vital part of his life and they will truly miss this wonderful man whose selfless love and devotion enhanced their lives.Click to view Albert's memorial video.
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