Jerry Edward Coughlin

Jerry Edward Coughlin, age 87 of Baraboo passed away peacefully at home with family by his side on Monday, Aug. 27, 2018. Jerry, son of Edward and Helen (Bloomfield) Coughlin was born July 7, 1931 in Baraboo. Jerry proudly served his country in the United States Navy from 1950-1953. He served his first two years in Casablanca, Morocco followed by two years in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba where he constructed air bases. On April 4, 1964 he was united in marriage to Joan Dennis. Jerry owned and operated Coughlin Excavating from 1960 until his retirement in 1995. As a hobby Jerry obtained his pilot's license in 1956 and built three airplanes. Furthering his love for flying he became a flight instructor and raced airplanes throughout three decades. Besides airplanes, Jerry loved riding his many motorcycles, walking and staying in shape; he logged thousands of miles through Baraboo. His family will remember him for being a man small in stature but bigger than life that was always smiling and happy.Survivors include his loving wife of 54 years, Joan; daughters, Elizabeth (Seamus) Geoghegan, Catherine Coughlin, Colleen (David) Bicknell all of Baraboo; granddaughters, Paige Schell of Prairie du Sac, Claire Bicknell of Baraboo; grandson, Jake Bicknell of Baraboo; sister-in-law, Kathleen Rindfleisch as well as many nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.He was preceded in death by his parents; sister, Catherine (Matt) Webster as well as aunts, uncles, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, August 31, 2018 at 11 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church with Father Jay Poster officiating. Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 30, 2018 at Redlin Funeral Home from 4 p.m. until 7 p.m. as well as on Friday from 10 a.m. until the time of mass at the church. Burial will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery where military rites will be conducted. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Spencer-Johnson-Schell (SJS) Cancer Support Group, St. Joseph Catholic Parish or a charity of your choice. The family would like to extend a special thank you to Dr. Krszjzaniek, Dr. Weber and the staff at SSM Health at Home for the wonderful care shown to Jerry.Jerry Coughlin jumped into his airplane and took another lap around the patch' as he always told us. He left the Baraboo-Wisconsin Dells Regional Airport just like he had done a thousand times before. With a smile and a huge sense of adventure on his mind. He flew straight to Heaven to catch up with so many family and friends. We knew he would always fly fast.for there was "No need for a SLOW Airplane".