Paul Coash

Paul Coash, age 89 of Westfield, Indiana died peacefully on Thursday, November 23, 2023 with his family by his side. A devoted husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather, Paul will be remembered for the legacy of his unwavering commitment to his Faith, Family, Future and Friends.

Paul was born on May 17, 1934 to Earle and Evangeline (Pajot) Coash in Detroit, Michigan. He was the youngest of five children. Paul attended St. Augustine School, where he played High School football and basketball and participated in track and field. He was All-City in football in 1951, All-City in basketball in 1952, and earned 11 varsity letters.

After graduating from high school in 1952, Paul attended the University of Notre Dame before transferring to Kalamazoo College, where he was the captain of the football team in 1954. Paul received his BA Degree in Economics and Political Science in 1957.

Paul met his wife of 66 years, Sue Mattes on a blind date in 1954. They married in June of 1957. Paul and Sue welcomed four children to their family. Todd, Julie, Patsy, and Matt. Paul began as a personnel manager at Peter Echrich, then later owned the Budweiser Busch Distributorship in Kalamazoo from 1969 to 1985. He was also the owner of West Hills Athletic Club from 1974 until 1998 when he sold it to Western Michigan University. Paul served as the president of the Notre Dame Club of Kalamazoo and was the past president of the K-Club at Kalamazoo College.

For over 50 years, Paul and his family enjoyed summer vacations on the waters of South Haven, Michigan, but his favorite spot was in Naples, Florida where he and Sue spent over 25 years. They enjoyed many good friendships in Naples, all of whom truly made their winter retreat feel like home. They recently moved back to Westfield, Indiana to be closer to their family, which grew to include 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

As we celebrate Paul’s remarkable life, may we find much comfort in our many treasured memories. May we also find comfort in the honor of committing ourselves to his legacy. In each moment that we generously give our time, talents and service to others we honor all the ways that Paul gifted our lives. In this way, we keep his spirit alive.

Paul is survived by his wife, Sue; 4 children: Todd (Carmele) Coash, Julie (Bob) Savitsky, Patsy (Barry) Bedford, and Matt (Julie) Coash; 11 grand children; 2 great-grandchildren; a brother, Robert Coash; 2 sisters, Janet Cowels and Dorothy Levene; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his sister, Genevieve Northrop. Mass will take place at St. Maria Goretti Catholic Church in Westfield, Indiana Saturday, December 9, 2023 at 10:00AM. A Life Story Celebration will be held from 5-7 pm on Monday, December 11th in Kalamazoo at the Betzler Life Story Funeral Home, 6080 Stadium Drive, Kalamazoo (269) 375-2900. Visit Paul’s webpage at BetzlerLifeStory.com to archive favorite memories, photos, and sign his guestbook. Memorial contributions may be made to Reins of Grace Therapeutic Riding Center (Reins of Grace is run and owned by Paul's daughter Julie (Coash) Savitsky).