J. Russell Coffey
J. Russell Coffey, of North Baltimore and formerly of Bowling Green passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at the age of 109.
Russell was born on September 1, 1898 in eastern Crawford County near Tiro, OH to the late George W. and Etta M. (Grafmiller) Coffey. He married Bernice Roseborough and she preceded him in death in 1983.
Russell was also preceded in death by his daughter Betty Jo Faldt-Larsen, granddaughter Katrina Faldt-Larsen and brothers Harley A. (Marie) Coffey and Hobart R. Coffey.
Surviving Russell are his son-in-law Jorgen "Lars" Faldt-Larsen of North Baltimore, nephew John K. (Marjorie) Coffey of Creston and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mr. Coffey was one of the last three remaining WWI veterans still living. He was a college student when the war broke out in 1917 and joined the Army Training Corps in October of 1918 when he was 20 years old. The war ended before he could be shipped to Europe.
He continued his education and was very active in youth athletics. Aside from teaching was a high school athletic official in both IA and OH. During his lifetime Dr. Coffey had been active in not only the YMCA's in the communities that he lived in but also the Toledo-area Boy Scouts where he had been aquatics director for many years. He was also a member of the North Baltimore American Legion Post 539. From the time that he was discharged Mr. Coffey furthered his education and received his doctorate in education from the University of New York in 1944. He was a teacher at Glenwood Jr. High School in Findlay before moving to Bowling Green and teaching at the Bowling Green State University from 1949-69, and was the director of graduate studies in health and physical education from 1952-68.
Funeral services for Dr. Coffey will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Smith-Crates Funeral Home, North Baltimore with visitation one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Bowling Green. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Dr. Coffey to the North Baltimore or the Bowling Green Rotary Club. Condolences can be sent via www.coldrencrates.com
One of last U.S. World War I Vets Dies at age 109
North Baltimore, Ohio (AP) -- One of only three known remaining American World War I veterans has died.
The Smith-Crates Funeral Home in North Baltimore, Ohio says J. Russell Coffey died yesterday at the age of 109. He had been living in a nursing home. There's no word on the cause of death.
The Veterans Affairs Department says Coffey was the last World War I vet in Ohio. Coffey enlisted in the Army in October 1918 while a student at Ohio State University.
It was a month before the Allied powers and Germany signed a cease-fire agreement and Coffey did not see action overseas. He did play semipro baseball and earned a doctorate in education from New York University.
Coffey taught high school and college and raised a family. According to the funeral home, he drove his car until he was 104 and lived on his own until three years ago.
∼WWI Veteran from Tiro, OH
J. Russell Coffey
J. Russell Coffey, of North Baltimore and formerly of Bowling Green passed away on Thursday, December 20, 2007 at the age of 109.
Russell was born on September 1, 1898 in eastern Crawford County near Tiro, OH to the late George W. and Etta M. (Grafmiller) Coffey. He married Bernice Roseborough and she preceded him in death in 1983.
Russell was also preceded in death by his daughter Betty Jo Faldt-Larsen, granddaughter Katrina Faldt-Larsen and brothers Harley A. (Marie) Coffey and Hobart R. Coffey.
Surviving Russell are his son-in-law Jorgen "Lars" Faldt-Larsen of North Baltimore, nephew John K. (Marjorie) Coffey of Creston and numerous great-nieces and great-nephews.
Mr. Coffey was one of the last three remaining WWI veterans still living. He was a college student when the war broke out in 1917 and joined the Army Training Corps in October of 1918 when he was 20 years old. The war ended before he could be shipped to Europe.
He continued his education and was very active in youth athletics. Aside from teaching was a high school athletic official in both IA and OH. During his lifetime Dr. Coffey had been active in not only the YMCA's in the communities that he lived in but also the Toledo-area Boy Scouts where he had been aquatics director for many years. He was also a member of the North Baltimore American Legion Post 539. From the time that he was discharged Mr. Coffey furthered his education and received his doctorate in education from the University of New York in 1944. He was a teacher at Glenwood Jr. High School in Findlay before moving to Bowling Green and teaching at the Bowling Green State University from 1949-69, and was the director of graduate studies in health and physical education from 1952-68.
Funeral services for Dr. Coffey will be held on Saturday, December 22, 2007 at 11:00 AM at Smith-Crates Funeral Home, North Baltimore with visitation one hour prior to the service from 10:00-11:00. Burial will be in Oak Grove Cemetery, Bowling Green. Memorial contributions can be made in memory of Dr. Coffey to the North Baltimore or the Bowling Green Rotary Club. Condolences can be sent via www.coldrencrates.com
One of last U.S. World War I Vets Dies at age 109
North Baltimore, Ohio (AP) -- One of only three known remaining American World War I veterans has died.
The Smith-Crates Funeral Home in North Baltimore, Ohio says J. Russell Coffey died yesterday at the age of 109. He had been living in a nursing home. There's no word on the cause of death.
The Veterans Affairs Department says Coffey was the last World War I vet in Ohio. Coffey enlisted in the Army in October 1918 while a student at Ohio State University.
It was a month before the Allied powers and Germany signed a cease-fire agreement and Coffey did not see action overseas. He did play semipro baseball and earned a doctorate in education from New York University.
Coffey taught high school and college and raised a family. According to the funeral home, he drove his car until he was 104 and lived on his own until three years ago.
∼WWI Veteran from Tiro, OH
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