Phil Culver Coffing, age 96, formally of Danville, IL passed away on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. He was a 1946 Danville (IL) High School graduate. Phil attended the University of Illinois and enlisted in the Army Reserve in June 1948 followed by the National Guard in January 1952. He completed Basic Training at Camp Cooke, CA, and Medical Field School at Ft. Sam Houston, TX. Phil was activated to Korea, serving the country from 1952-1953 with the Medical Company, 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division.  Lt Phil Coffing earned the Combat Medical Badge, the Korean Service Medal with 3 Campaign Stars, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Bronze Star in August 1953 for his service.

Married in 1950 to Gretchen Funk, they moved several times for different job opportunities upon his discharge from the Army. Later, Phil and Gretchen returned to Danville to raise their family and purchased a local business, Thomas Music Shop, and later opened a second business, Coffing's Women's Wear. An active volunteer in the community, Phil was a member of the Ancient & Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry, Danville Noon Time Rotary including being named a Paul Harris Fellow, Red Mask Community Theater Board, St. James United Methodist Church Board, and the St. James United Methodist Church Choir. Phil loved music, and as a youth played French horn and sang. Over the years, he was an active church choir member and received many compliments for his voice and perfect pitch.

Phil had a profound sense of humor and loved to make people laugh. He often told people he was planning to live to 100 and later upped that number to 105 but on certain days would lower it to 104 if he was not feeling great. He had many favorite sayings including "doesn't sound like me," "watch the other guy," and of course, the "first 100 years are the hardest."

He is survived by daughters Debora Dyar (Gary), Christy Snider (Trent); son Bruce (Beth); grandchildren Kimberly LeCleir (Brian), Ryan Dyar (Megan George), Claire and Erin Snider, Emily Coffing; great-grandchildren Jack, Ben, and Daniel LeCleir. He was preceded in death by his wife Gretchen and parents Frank Coffing and Florence Coffing.

A memorial service will be held later at the Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery. The family would like to express gratitude to the Brookdale Glen Ellyn staff where Phil and Gretchen lived their remaining years, the ICU Staff at Northwestern Hospital, Winfield IL, and Jean Calub with Vitacare who supported Phil with care over the last few months.  If desired, friends may make a memorial contribution to St. James United Methodist Church, 504 N. Vermilion St. Danville, IL 61832 (https://stjamesumc.churchcenter.com/home). Condolences may be sent to the family at hultgrenfh.com