Charles E. "Chuck” Coon, a longtime resident of White Lake, MI., died Friday, January 30, in Oxford, MI, after a short illness. He was 86. Born on May 15, 1928, in Detroit, Mich., Mr. Coon is the son of the late Charles J. Coon, a Detroit police detective and Martha Coon. After a two-year stint in the U.S. Army, in 1951 Charles E. Coon married Beverly Rioux, started a family, and began a 40-plus year career maintaining and building racetracks for horse racing. His work took his all over North America and in 2008 he was inducted into the Harness Racing Hall of Fame. Mr. Coon is survived by his wife, Beverly; sons Greg (Lynette) and Dan (Kathy Parker); two daughters, Jeannine Weinschrod (Philipp) and Shelly (Mike) Gambino; grandchildren Peter (Melanie) Coon, Michael (Heather) Coon, Nick (Meghan) Gambino, Megan (Ryan) Reese, Caitlin Cullen and Erin Cullen; eight great-grandchildren; two brothers, Tom (Denise) Coon and retired trackman Jerry (Audrey) Coon; one sister, Joan (Dan) Deary; and two sisters-in-law, two brothers-in-law, and many nieces and nephews. Family and friends are invited to celebrate Chuck’s memory on Tuesday, February 3, from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at the Elton Black and Son Funeral Home, 3295 E. Highland Rd., Highland, MI. Mr. Coon will lie in state on Wednesday, February 4, at St. Perpetua Catholic Church, 134 Airport Rd., Waterford, Mich. 48327 from 10 am until Mass of Christian Burial at 10:30 am. Graveside services following at All Saints Cemetery, Waterford Twp. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests memorial contributions may be made to the following: the Harness Racing Museum & Hall of Fame (www.harnessmuseum.com) ; Goshen Historic Track (www.goshenhistorictrack.com); or Open Door Outreach Center (www.opendooroutreachcenter.com). Fond memories and online condolences may be offered to the family at www.eltonblackandson.com
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