Donald Jake Coshey, age 76, tipped his Cav Hat fondly referred to as the "Stetson: to this earthly realm to report to his final duty station with our Lord on October 26th. Like every obstacle in his life, he faced his long illness with strength and bravery. Our Papa was lovingly surrounded by Jonell, his wife for nearly 54 years, his two daughters, Diana Mitchell and Lisa Burner, and his three granddaughters, Elisabeth Burner, Katherine Burner, and Merrick Mitchell.

Don enlisted in the Army in 1964 and left Ft. Benning, Georgia for his first tour in Vietnam. He left Vietnam out of Mobile on USS Croatian Aircraft Carrier. After that trip, we could never get dad on another boat. Dad served two terms in Vietnam and was one of the band of brothers that fought during the Battle at Ia Drang Valley along side his beloved C-Troup, 1st of the 9th Calvary. Dad loved his heuy helicopters and was an able crew chief always keeping her in the air with skills that would stun and amaze. He went to serve our county for 23 years and retired with his lovely bride to a small country farm.

Dad raised not only chickens and dogs, but also two daughters and three granddaughters. He had a way of knitting his brow when he was angry with some antic, all the girls quickly learned that meant to come up with a quick apology or excuse. He was a man with a giant heart that was usually helpless when it come to his granddaughters. His life lessons and stories help create a loving home to help a new generation of young women grow and succeed.

Throughout it all was his wife, Jonell "Jo", who met on a blind date created a partnership that will continue, even though Dad now has a good excuse not to buy an anniversary gift. A young couple, barely out of their teens, they figured out the secret to keep a love powerful and a relationship unbreakable, their love surrounded their family and kept the family strong through many hardship.

Donald is survived by his wife of 54 years, Jonell M Coshey of Laurel Hill, FL; daughter, Diana Mitchell and her daughter, Merrick Mitchell, of Tallahassee, FL; daughter, Lisa Dawn Burner and her daughters, Elisabeth "Jessie" Burner and Katherine "Katie" Dawn Burner of Crestview, FL. He is survived by an abundance of extended loved ones, including nieces and nephews, 3 sisters, Peggy Longsdorf, Betty Coshey, and Susan Coshey of Greensburg, PA; 1 brother, Henry Coshey of Greensburg, PA; grand nieces and grandnephews, friends , brother-in-arms, fur babies and tons of chickens.

Funeral services for Donald Jake Coshey will be 2PM Friday, October 30. 2020. Visitation will be 6 to 8 Thursday, October 29, 2020 at Evans Funeral Home.

Please join us in remembering Donald Jake Coshey by visiting our Memorial at evansfuneralhomeal.com. Through this site we invite you to share your thoughts and fond memories with our family.