Howard Lee Coffman

Howard Lee Coffman passed away at his home in Aurora, on Oct. 22, 2025. He was the son of Joe and Eva (Renfrow) Coffman, of Denlow. Born on the 4th of July in 1943, he was and remained a firecracker always. He had three sisters, Delores Mooney (Larry), of California; Geneva Woody (Raymond), of Mansfield; and Hazel Simpson (Gene), of Nevada. Since he was the baby brother who followed them in their childhood days, he has now followed them into heaven. He also lost a brother who was stillborn in 1935.  On Oct. 26, 1963, he married Betty Jo Wheeler, of Mansfield, in Mountain Grove. To their life they happily added three children, daughter, Melinda Munden (Don), of Mt. Vernon; son, Doug Coffman (Tena), of Springfield, who survive and lost a son, Johnny Lee, at 21 months of age, in 1972; twin granddaughters, Lisa and Lora in 1984. To bring some happiness back in their lives, a granddaughter was born in 1986, Jennifer Irene Diaz (Chris), of Aurora, who took over for him as a custodian for the Aurora Schools. He was so proud of her, and she was always there for him as were all his family. Howard worked at Ballew Hatchery in Mansfield for 25 years. Then he had a highway Post Office route from Lebanon to Mansfield. Then he ran a rural route for his father-in-law, Marion Wheeler, in Wright County. They also operated Y’all Come In Café in Mansfield, for 10 years. After that they moved to Aurora, where he worked as a custodian for the Aurora Schools for the last 12 years of his working career.
Howard leaves behind a special niece, Carol Woody Jones (who was like a daughter) and her husband, Scott, of Rogersville; and many more nieces and nephews and a host of friends and friends who were family who will always love and miss him. Howard always worried about others instead of himself. A more unselfish man you will never meet. A celebration of Howard’s life will be held at a later date. Arrangements are under the direction of Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home in Aurora. Online condolences may be shared at www.CraftonCantrellFuneralHome.com.