Susan Kay Coon

Susan K. Coon, 78, affectionately known as “Sue” or “Suzie,” passed away on August 28 due to complications during heart surgery. Although her time with us came to an unexpected end, the love, warmth, laughter, and generosity she gave so freely will live on in the hearts of all who knew her.

Susan was born September 29, 1947, in Muskegon, Michigan, to Leon (Lee) and Donna (Johnson) Rinehart, one of four children. She was endlessly creative and talented. After high school, she attended beauty school, adding to her many talents, which included drawing, painting, crafting, baking, decorating, and sewing. She later worked as a professional seamstress at Gwendolynʼs in Novi, Michigan, and held positions as a communications specialist and manager with companies including Sprint, MCI, and Guardian Alarm. She and her husband, Ray, also opened All Things Considered, a home décor and gift shop in Milford, Michigan, where they sold many handcrafted items they made themselves.

Susan was hardworking, dependable, and fiercely devoted to her family. During her years as a single mother, she worked while raising her three children. She later met and married the love of her life, Raymond Coon, and together they built a family of five children and a home filled with beloved pets. To Susan, her family continued to grow, welcoming a son and daughters-in-law whom she loved as her own.

In 1999, Susan and Ray moved from Wixom, Michigan, to Homosassa, Florida, to live near Rayʼs mother, Marion. Susan quickly embraced the Forrest View community, where many neighbors became lifelong friends and like family. She loved the communityʼs celebrations, dances, parties, and gatherings and often helped host them, bringing people together.

Susan had an enormous and compassionate heart and believed that the little things were often the big things. She treasured connecting with family, coffee with friends, snuggling with her pets, Hallmark Channel movies and Jeopardy, collecting gnomes, attending parties, and playing games, especially Bingo and Texas Holdʼem. She loved romantic oldies and could often be found singing and dancing around the house while working on one of her many creative or home projects.

Susan celebrated the people she loved. She was proud of them, cheered them on loudly, shared their stories, saved their pictures, and remembered to call and check in. She believed there was more to life than what we can see and touch and often spoke about faith, God, and how our loved ones who have passed become guardian angels who watch over and protect us. We believe she is now one of ours, watching over us.

Susan was preceded in death by her parents, Leon (Lee) F. and Donna M. (Johnson) Rinehart; her grandparents, Beta W. Lund and Fridoff (Fred) L. Johnson, and Erma N. Palen and Delbert L. Rinehart; her former husband, David Engel; her husband, Raymond Coon; her stepmother, Vernetta (Becky) Rinehart; her stepbrother, Dan Basset; and her parents-in-law, Ernest and Marion (Toby) Coon.

Susan is survived by her five children: Jerry Engel of Homosassa, Florida; Jeffery Engel of Tampa, Florida; Dean Coon of Cape Coral, Florida; Sean Coon of Trenton, Ohio; and Jennifer Lansing and her husband, Scott, of Suwanee, Georgia. Her beloved pets, Peaches and Athena, also survive her and are now being lovingly cared for in nearby homes.

She is also survived by her grandchildren, Derek Engel and his wife, Grace, of Milford, Michigan; Stacey Engel and Devin Martin of Burton, Michigan; Ashleigh Engel of New Port Richey, Florida; Zachary Coon of Blue Ash, Ohio; and Aleia and Lily Lansing of Tucker, Georgia; as well as her great-grandchildren, Avaleigh (Ava) and Avery Engel of New Port Richey, Florida; Abigail (Abby) Martin of Burton, Michigan; and Emerson Engel of Milford, Michigan.

Susan is also survived by her siblings, Sandra Goodrich of Branch, Michigan; Donald (Don) Rinehart and his wife, Debra (Deb), of Rockford, Michigan; Richard (Rick) Rinehart and his wife, Suzie, of Grand Rapids, Michigan; and her stepsister, Marie Shunta of Muskegon, Michigan.

Susan leaves behind a family and community who will miss her deeply and carry her love, laughter, creativity, and unforgettable spirit with them always.