Joshua Potts Coffing, the son of Thomas Davis Coffing and Sophia McDaniels, had four sisters, Mary Ellen (Washington), Susan Catherine (Horton), Isabelle B. (Eytcheson), and Lucy Ann (Sanders), and two brothers, Joel McDaniel and Jackson.

Joshua married Cynthia Ann Burkett on 22 Dec 1872 in Macy, Miami Co., IN. They had five children, daughter (infant death), Effie Edith, Edgar Earl, Arthur Emerson, and Emma Jane.

Joshua Potts Coffing then married Jane Rigel Lichty on 4 Apr 1882, Macy, Miami Co., IN. They had nine children, Marietta Elizabeth (Weller), Joshua D., Mary Ellen (infant death), Pearl May (Wagoner), Hattie Belle, Edith Ruth (infant death), Ralph Waldo, Jacob Russell, and Grace (Shadel).
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Published in the Rochester(IN) News-Sentinel, Saturday, January 19, 1935

Joshua COFFING, 85, better known to a host of friends throughout northern Indiana as "Uncle Joff" [COFFING], passed away at 10:35 Saturday (January 19, 1935) morning at Woodlawn hospital. Mr. Coffing, who for scores of years resided on Piety Hill at Macy became afflicted with a bowel obstruction a few days ago and was brought to the hospital on Thursday where in the afternoon he underwent an emergency operation. However, attending physicians early despaired for his life due to his advanced years and "Uncle Joff" gradually grew weaker until the end. Perhaps no other person in Indiana had endeared himself in the hearts of both youngsters and grownups alike as did Mr. Coffing, who in latter years of his life was a living image of Santa Claus. Mr. Coffing during the yuletide season always found great delight in playing the roll of Santa Claus for the kiddies in and around his own neighborhood and many adjacent cities as well. His characterization of Santa both in actions and appearance required but a minimum of make-up and no change in personality. Mr. Coffing, throughout his long residency in Macy became known as a philosopher of no little note in the up-state territory and hundreds of his friends often sought "Uncle Joff's" advice relative to historical data and various civic and social problems. He was a pioneer in every sense of the word. Coming to Indiana when still but a lad he endured the hardships and vicissitudes of the early pioneer life and saw the gradual advancement from the covered wagon mode of travel upto the automobile and airplanes. In all this procession of events Mr. Coffing maintained a keen interest and was a delightful conversationalist on current as well as historical affairs.

Joshua, son of Thomas Davis and Sophia COFFING, was born on a farm in Delaware County, Ohio on November 9th, 1849. Mr. Coffing had been a resident of Macy since he was a youth of 17 years. Upon reaching manhood he was united in wedlock to Anna BURKETT and to this union four children were born. Mrs. Coffing passed away while still a young woman. A few years later Mr. Coffing was married to Mrs. Al LICHTY, a native of Ohio and five children were born to them. Mrs. Lichty was the mother of three children by a previous marriage. Until ill health forced his retirement "Uncle Joff" followed the occupation of farming and stock raising and in the latter branch of vocation he became known as one of the best cattlemen in Indiana, his stock often capturing high awards in various exhibits made throughout the state. He was a member of the Macy Christian church, the Masonic Order and the Grange lodge.

The following children survive: Arthur COFFING, of Garrett, Ind.; Emma [COFFING], Jane [COFFING] and Effie COFFING, all of South Bend; Mrs. Elizabeth WELLER, of Marion, Ind.; Mrs. Ida LICHTY, Mrs. E. M. SHAFER, Ralph COFFING, of Macy; Russell COFFING, of Twelve Mile, and Grace SHADLE, of Macy. Two sisters, Mrs. Josephus SANDERS, of Macy and Mrs. Levi HORTON, of Wagoners Station, also survive. Funeral arrangements had not been announced as this issue of the News-Sentinel went to press. [The funeral services for Joshua "Uncle Joff" COFFING, who passed away Saturday morning at Woodlawn hospital here, were conducted at the Christian Church, Macy, two o'clock Monday afternoon January 21, 1935.]

SOURCE:
Fulton County Indiana Obituaries – 1935 by Jean C. and Wendell C. Tombaugh

Wendell C. & Jean C. Tombaugh, Fulton County Indiana Cemeteries, Rochester Township, Mt. Zion Cemetery: Joshua Coffing, Father, 1849-1935; Jane Coffing, Mother, 1854-1935. NOTE: these two bodies were moved from Plainview Cemetery, Macy, Miami County, Indiana. - WCT