Family/Spouse: Joseph SCHULZ. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

1. Emma Luella SCHULZ
2. Christian Ferdinand SCHULZ

Notes:

My Uncle Richard was a most creative soul. He was an actor, playwright, and author throughout his adulthood. He began his love in the drama field as a young child when his mother would take him around to perform in minstrel shows. She would play the piano and he would sing and dance.

He later went to acting school and was considered their most promising student. He was once the lead in a Broadway play but otherwise had less prominent parts. He also wrote screenplays that were considered by major Actors at the time. He many fascinating, successful actresses and actors as friends. He was the kind of Uncle we would all brag about.

He married his childhood friend, Betty Scheibert. They were an exemplary couple whose love seemed to grow stronger through the years. They lived in New York City for most of their adult lives. Betty was a graphic artist for industrial applications. She had had polio as a child. It left her crippled. It didn't stop her from doing anything. Uncle Richard told me often about the time she climbed up a cliff at Highbanks, a park here in Columbus when they were both going to Ohio State University. He was so proud of her. They had a daughter, Jennifer, who became a famous photographer for the March of Dimes. She had the honor of photographing two of our American President's families in the Whitehouse in her career.

Uncle Richard was a sensitive soul called into service in the Korean War. He had many after-effects from that service that took him years to heal from. He was a profuse writer to his wife, Betty. He believed these letters were the basis for the long-running T.V. show called "Mash". His silhouette was captured by a photographer in the doorway of a hut in this war that was used by the AP press and published in many national papers.

He used this photo as the front cover of an autobiography he published about him and his wife, their families, and the town they grew up in. It's called "The Unidentified Soldier in the USO Poster". It can be purchased at Xlibris.com.

Richard married Elizabeth (Betty) Louise SCHEIBERT on 2 Sep 1950 in Franklin, Ohio, USA. Elizabeth was born on 31 Jul 1926 in Middletown, Butler County, Ohio, United States of America; died on 13 Mar 2004 in Brooklyn, Kings County (Brooklyn), New York, United States of America; was buried on 5 Jun 2004 in Woodside Cemetery, Middletown, Butler, OH, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

IN REMEMBRANCE OF BETTY COATE This tribute was delivered by Richard Coate, at the memorial service for his wife, Betty Saturday, April 17, 2004 at the Unitarian Church in Brooklyn heights, New York.

Elizabeth Louise, the daughter of Carl and Luella Scheibert of Trenton, Ohio, was known by most as Betty throughout her life. Hers was a close knit family. With nurturing parents, she reflected the values of not only her Christian upbringing, but those of a generation which placed a priority on nobility of character, good conduct, civility, courtesy, professional ethics and regard for the feelings of others. To the time of her hospitalization she enjoyed her weekly telephone conversations with her younger sister, Doris, to whom she was very close.

On February 4, 2004, after a fall caused by ice on a handicap access from sidewalk to the street in Brooklyn Heights, New York, Betty was conveyed by ambulance go the ER at Long Island College Hospital where she was admitted as a patient in the Respiratory Care Unit. She died of complications the following March 13th. In the five weeks of her hospitalization, Betty would confront four life threatening crises, one involving pneumonia and a mild heart attack. Placed on Life Support she was transferred from the RCU to the ICU for the third and last time where she remained for two and a half weeks, unable to speak. On her back most of that time, her hands were strapped down in restraint. Throughout her entire ordeal, either in the RCU or the ICU, either myself or our devoted daughter Jennifer were at her bedside ten or eleven hours a day.

But on the night of February 8th, following her first transfer to the ICU, I was not granted permission to remain with her overnight. During that long, lonely walk home I fervently prayed that she survive the crisis. When I entered her room at eleven a. m. next morning, she was desperately gasping for breath, still waging a fight for life. "Oh, Dick," she pleaded, "help me breathe." I took her hand in mine. She squeezed it with all the strength she could muster, a reminder of how much she depended upon my love and support. "I will, Betty. I will." I was relieved as her breathing gradually became less labored and she finally closed her eyes. But it was not long before opened them for a reassuring glimpse of me. I held her hand with both of mine and smiled. With each passing hour her breathing became easier and she finally fell into a deep sleep. At the end of five hours, a nurse, gently prodding, aroused her patient. "Elizabeth." ... Betty opened her eyes. "How do you feel?" Her response was immediate. "O. K." "How's your breathing?" "Good." We all smiled in relief.**********************

February 19th, two days after her second transfer to the ICU [both times due, in part, to dangerously low sodium level resulting from trauma to the head] I had reason to believe that she had finally won the odds, that is, she had survived her last crisis. A quote from an e-mail to our long time friend, Jan Jackson, is a testament to my reason for feeling optimistic. "Thanks for the good thoughts and prayers, Jan. It's a great comfort to both of us. She was transferred from the ICU after midnight [of the 17th]. Though her sodium level hasn't changed, the Nurses Station informed me that she is 'stabilized.' Oxygen level 95-98. Her appetite has improved considerably. When I arrived this morning one of her first questions was, 'What's news?' You can imagine how good that question made me feel ..." By the 22nd, her sodium level, now within "safe" level, warranted a transfer back to the RCU. It was not long before she contacted pneumonia resulting in yet another life and death crisis requiring her to be placed on life support and, for the third time, a transfer back to the ICU. Though I didn't realize it at the time, sentiments I expressed shortly after, summed up our 53 years of marriage. "You know, Betty, we've always been a team," I began. Her eyes widened and she nodded, "... and we've always been there for one another." She literally hung on my words. "So, as team players, I want you to know that I'm right here with you, helping you to get through this as you helped me when I needed you most." Squeezing my hand, she smiled and nodded again. I had always known that I married a gal with a strong will ... but the stamina she evoked to survive what proved to be a protracted battle ... was not only remarkable, but an amazing demonstration of a valiance and spiritual strength.*********************

It was during Christmas season of our 8th grade that we made an important discovery. Miss Weinberger, our music and art teacher paired us off to decorate our principal's office window .... we really enjoyed working together ... we were a good team. It was the beginning of a lasting relationship. A polio victim at the age of five, she developed a strength of character which engendered the respect of her grade and high school peers. Despite her handicap, she wielded a wicked ping pong paddle. When we paired in a High School tournament, vying for championship in an overtime game, we lost to Peggy Johnson and Richard Shockey by one point. But she had dramatically demonstrated to all in attendance that she was the real champion. As members of the High School Chorus and orchestra, our affection for one another was hard to conceal. She was great on the dance floor; snuggling close for the slow, sentimental, romantic ballads as well as the wildly energetic jitterbugging of the big band era. By the time we were High School seniors Betty and I were considered to be "steadies."

By this past March 11th, when her lungs were cleared of pneumonia, her breathing stabilized, a tracheotomy was performed to facilitate the weaning process. Late that night, she was transferred to a weaning room in the RCU. At 830 a .m. on March 12th, I was with her when the Respiratory Specialist began decreasing, by increments, her dependency on the respirator. Midmorning, Jennifer joined me for the vigil. 1230 p. m., our anxiety mounting, we watched, cheering her on, as she was removed from the respirator. "Breathe, Betty, breathe, Mom," we urged her. There was a note of triumph in our voices as we exclaimed. "She's breathing. She's breathing on her own. She's off the respirator!" Still sedated, she was not aware of what she had accomplished. Later that evening, long after Jennifer departed for home in Dutchess County, Betty awakened. "Betty, you're off the respirator. You're breathing on your own." Raising her head from the pillow, her eyes widened as if to ask ... Are you sure? ... "It's true, you been breathing on your own for a long time now." She smiled. Obviously relieved, she squeezed my hand and eased back on the pillow. I could only speculate as to her thoughts. .... but I feel sure it was a prayer expressing gratitude.

Five days before ... I had contacted a head and chest infection so I was still on antibiotic. The mask I was wearing prevented me from placing a good night kiss on her forehead. I again expressed many a tender a word before I announced that I had to get a good night's rest so I could be back early in the morning. She pounded the mattress with her hand on the opposite side of the bed. It was obvious she wanted me to linger just a little bit longer. I circled around to hold her other hand. "You're adorable and I'm very proud of you." I remained for an all-to-short five more minutes more. "I'll see you in the morning, darling. Rest well." She smiled as I gently slipped my hand from her grasp. Accepting my departure, she turned her head, as if to focus on the ceiling. While she attended Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, graduating with excellent grades as a Fine Arts Major, I attended Ohio State, majoring in Theater. Separated by 120 miles, we corresponded throughout the four years. Transferring to Ohio State in the fall of '49 where she received a degree in Education, she accepted my proposal early spring of the following year.

Then came the event which altered the course of history. Late June of 1950, Harvey Seeman, our friend from Trenton High and my roommate at Ohio State, and his date, Marian Ott, Betty and I had good reason to be in high spirits. En route to Old Man's cave, a scenic and natural wonder in south central Ohio, the car radio was playing classical music and the weather was sheer poetry. When the program was interrupted with the announcement that the Communist North Koreans had crossed the 38th parallel, invading South Korea, we realized that the "Cold War" had now become a "Hot War."

Late August of 1950 I received my induction notice. Five days before reporting to basic training, Betty and I were married in a hastily arranged ceremony in the living room her home. Members of both families were present. Following our brief honeymoon in picturesque Brown County State Park in Indiana, I was assigned basic training at Fort Knox, KY which was near enough to Trenton for me to make frequent weekend trips home during basic.

During my student days at Ohio State, after my third year of live broadcasting on WOSU, the Ohio State Radio station, I'd been inducted into Alpha Epsilon Rho, The National Broadcasting Fraternity. I was to have been assigned to the Fort Knox Radio Station upon completion of Basic. But with the Chinese entry into the Korean War, anyone with a Military Occupation Specialty of a rifleman were, like it or not, shipped to Korea. Shortly after my arrival on line, a chance encounter between myself and an AP photojournalist produced a classic photograph which, in the ensuing decades, would become an icon of the Korean and Cold Wars. But for Betty's initiative, the photograph would have been lost to posterity. Following my army discharge in June of '52, we moved East to pursue our separate careers, she as an artist, I as an actor. While her first job, a technical illustrator with secret clearance, was with Sikorsky Aircraft, Bridgeport, Conn., I worked as a mechanic on the assembly line in the factory.

Betty continued with Sikorsky while I commuted to Manhattan to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In September of 1954, after graduation and two seasons of Summer Stock on Cape Cod, we moved to Brooklyn Heights. Betty was not only my severest critic but my most staunch supporter. She attended the bulk of my performances, from High School through college, The American Dramatic Arts, through my work Off Broadway, The New York Shakespeare Festival, summer stock and regional theater.

Over the years she advanced to become Art Director of the Art Department of a firm in Brooklyn. Her last job prior to retirement was with BMG, again serving as an Art Director. During her tenure at BMG she designed record jackets, page layouts and catalog covers.

Back in October of 1989, I submitted a story I had written, The Unidentified Soldier In The USO Poster to Jan Jackson, Executive Administrative Assistant to the Chairman of the Presidential Korean War Memorial Advisory Board, General Richard G. Stilwell. At my request, she presented it to the general at the fund HQ in Arlington, Va. The board was not only responsible for selecting the memorial design but the fund drive for its construction and installation on the mall in our nation's capital. Though Betty admired my audacity, she knew that the story, which was really "our" story, would not fail to impress the four star general - all the more so, since he was a former Commander of all UN Troops in Korea. After all, the photograph had twice attained national circulation. Upon its first national AP newspaper release, the heading over the photograph of the Spokesman Review, Spokane, WA., read, "Silhouette of Yank Rifleman Symbolizes Fighting Forces it Korea." When the general learned that it resurfaced in 1964-'65 as the linchpin of the USO fund drive, this time symbolizing American fighting forces throughout the globe, he knew that its symbolic value could be an invaluable asset to the fund drive for the Korean War Memorial.

Though the general addressed his letter of appreciation and commendation to me, he was well aware that Betty was a pivotal player in the backstory of the photograph. Had it not been for Betty, the general would never had reason to write that letter. An excerpt reads "I cannot gauge whether your story will evoke that genre of reaction, from publishers and general population who, in the not too distant past, termed Korea a 'Forgotten War.' Whatever, the true value of your work will be measured by the assuredly positive response of those who were there, who knew at first hand the selfishness and suffering of fellow men fighting on inhospitable terrain for dimly perceived objectives - men who can really appreciate the pain of an author valorous enough to experience it all again - and again, for the benefit of others. I salute your courage; I admire your initiative."

Easter Sunday, 1951, during its first nationwide AP newspaper release, the photograph was accompanied by a reporter's interview of Betty in The Middletown Journal, Middletown, OH, our hometown newspaper. Recognizing its archival value, for the family at least, she secured a glossy of the photo and the AP release. Her initiative would have profound impact almost four decades later when she helped me design and prepare the pro bono press packets which targeted some of the more powerful and prestigious newspaper and magazine editors in the nation. Using General Stilwell's letter as the centerpiece, these press packets included literature from the fund HQ, a glossy of the photo and an editorial by me which was first published in The Phoenix, a prestigious and prize winning Brooklyn Heights Newspaper of that era.

Betty followed this up by designing hundreds of posters, using the photograph as anchor, for the fledgling Korean War Veterans Association HQ and 80 or so posters, all designed for individual chapters. Reproduced and distributed throughout the nation, these impressive posters not only generated awareness of the "Forgotten War of Korea," but an inestimable amount of funds for the memorial to be situated in our nation's capital, as well as membership to the Korean War Veterans Association. By last count, the association has well over 260 Chapters. Her sympathy for the plight of the Korean War Veteran dates back to my own tour of duty in Korea. Betty's work on these posters in the early 90s were done, in large part, on her lunch break at Bertlesman Music Group, where she served as Art Director. As a result of her efforts and our press packets, she helped open doors which had hitherto been closed, generating invaluable press coverage for the veterans of the war. The success of our team work became the inspiration for the KWVA's still ongoing "Tell America About The Korean War" campaign. At the time of her passing, five million Korean War veterans were in her debt. **********************
Though I was well aware of Betty's dry wit and gift for repartee, I was more than a little impressed that she was able to hold her own with the comedian who was world renowned for his witticisms and comic timing - Bob Hope. In May of 1990, General Stillwell expressed his gratitude by inviting us to be his honored guest at a black tie, thousand dollar a plate dinner at the Omni Shoreham Hotel in Washington, D. C., honoring the 46 Congressman who had served during the Korean War. Jan Jackson hosted the table at which we were seated - front row, near the lip of the stage The Key note speaker was the President of the United States, George Walker Bush. He, along with Bob Hope and his wife, Dolores and Rosemary Clooney were seated front row center, two tables away, hosted by the general and his gracious wife. It had already been announced that Hope and Clooney were leaving for Europe shortly after the dinner to entertain the troops. It would be the last of Bob Hope's USO tours.

Having finished their dessert, Betty and Jan made a trip to the lady's room. The president's departure for the White House, however, presented me an opportunity to approach Bob Hope for an autograph - while another guest at our table snapped a photo of the event. I made the approach, noting that Dolores was seated to his immediate left. I'm sure he did not know that my profile had graced hundreds of USO posters. Leaning into Hope to make sure I was "in frame," I extended my program and made the request. Nodding to the cameraman, he smiled and unceremoniously jotted his famous name on my program. Triumphant, I thanked him and made my way back to our table to find that Betty and Jan had returned from the lady's room.

When they learned what I had done, Betty insisted that she, too, approach the comedian for an autograph. Having accompanied her to Hope's side, he was quick to note my presence. "Mr. Hope," Betty asked, "would you autograph my program, too?" Poker faced, he looked at me, then back to her. "You know I charge for these." "Ohio" Betty responded. "How much?" "A dollar per," the comedian replied. "That much? I'm afraid I don't carry that kind of cash with me." "I'll accept an I. O. U." the straight faced Hope replied. Betty pursued with the game playing. "But you're leaving for Europe shortly. Where will I send it?" Giving her a quizzical look, he paused before nodding to Dolores - an acknowledgment that he had a real live one here. Dolores supplied the punch line, "Oh, don't worry, we'll catch up with you." Betty grinned and we all laughed. Mission accomplished, we headed back to our table. **********************

When we attended our first Unitarian Church Fair in the mid-80s, we discovered many of our Brooklyn Heights friends manning the booths. They were all Unitarians. It was not long when we became members and active participants in the church. With the onset of Post Polio Syndrome she was required to be "on" oxygen 24 hours a day for the last several years of her life, she was unable to attend church. A devoted wife, she was a woman of considerable spunk. Up until the date of an hospitalization following an accident late afternoon February 4th, 2004, the direct result of a failure on the part of a building superintendent to remove ice from a sidewalk, she led a highly productive life few could match. Her handicap did not deter her from performing her favorite domestic chore - preparing the evening meal. A gourmet cook, she took great pride in serving not only a delicious dinner, but one that was aesthetically pleasing. She endeared herself to countless people throughout her life, maintaining childhood friendships and some with college chums. She loved the theater and we enjoyed attending Broadway shows together until recent years when her health did not permit. ***********************
On the night of this past March 12th, I phoned the nurses station before I bedded down and again at 7 am in the morning. The reports were good - Betty was still breathing on her own. Upon my arrival at 9 am, I was about to enter her room when I was alarmed to see a doctor, both hands rhythmically pumping her chest. A nurse blocked my entrance. I waited in the corridor, while others on the medical staff rushed to her bedside. Time seemed to stand still as I prayed for a miracle - that she summon the strength to survive one more crisis. At 930 two attending nurses and a doctor emerged to inform me that she had passed away. She died of a heart attack. The trauma she had endured over the prior five weeks had taken its toll. It didn't seem possible! She was so alert the night before. Only two hours before the nurse said she was doing well! I excused myself, walked down the corridor, still in a state of disbelief. Composing myself, I phoned Jennifer with the sad news.

Hers was the passing of a remarkable woman. Beautiful, charming, witty and highly intelligent, she had been my childhood crush, then sweetheart, wife, best friend, colleague, confidant and lover. She was a nurturing mother to our wonderful daughter, Jennifer, and Grandmother to Emma and Christian, to whom she was lovingly known as "Grandma Betty." In all the 74 years I've known her, including our 53 years of marriage, I cannot recall anyone express an unkind word about her. To have known her was to respect her. Spiritually, she is still very much with me. Betty will continue to play the most important role in my life ... until, I too, join her in eternal rest. **********************

EXTEMPORE EULOGY BY MAGGIE CURRAN TO BETTY COATE AT HER MEMORIAL SERVICE AT THE FIRST UNITARIAN CHURCH IN BROOKLYN HEIGHTS, NEW YORK, APRIL 17, 2004 MAGGIE CURRAN, Ret., Literary Agent, Stage Manager, Actress. * I first met Richard and Betty Coate in 1956 when Richard and I both worked for The New York Shakespeare Festival. In 1960 I moved to Brooklyn Heights, had a daughter, as they did, and our lives ran parallel to the present, including membership in the First Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Brooklyn, NY.

Betty Coate was the most courageous and the most modest person I have ever known. She was, in the terminology of the time, a victim of Infantile Paralysis. She never allowed herself to become a victim. She lived a rich full life. She got a wonderful education - she married her sweetheart, Richard, and they had their wonderful Jennifer.

Betty put in a full working life and I knew her best in retirement (Retirement goes on forever these days.) when a group of Heights women met for dinner about once a month. She was always so neat and elegant. She was quiet, but when she spoke, we listened. We respected her.

Ultimately it was Post Polio Syndrome that robbed Betty of strength to recover from an accident. She was beautiful and she will be missed.* Note By Richard Coate Maggie Curran has great presence and her style of delivery (somewhat in the grand manner of an actress who had honed her skills) was magnificent. Betty would have been so pleased!***************

Tribute to Betty Coate by her nephew, John Thullen Excerpts from the letter John Thullen wrote to his cousin, Betty's daughter, Jennifer Schulz, were read by his sister, Nancy Thullen at the graveside memorial service for Betty at Woodside Cemetery on June 5, 2004 in Middletown, Ohio. John and Nancy's mother, Doris Thullen, is Betty's younger sister. The full text of John's letter to Jennifer's father, Richard Coate, dated June 10, 2004 as well as his original letter to Jennifer reads "Dear Uncle Dick, Nancy told me that she used excerpts of a letter I wrote to Jennifer at Aunt Betty's memorial service. She said you might appreciate a copy. I've left it as I wrote it. I'm sorry I was not able to make the trip to Middletown for the service. But I was thinking of you and Jennifer on that day. I hope you are O. K. I'm so sorry about Aunt Betty's passing. I would love to detour to New York City on one of our trips back east. Also, if you ever get an idea that you might like to visit, Denver, you are welcome and we can show you the sights. Please take care of yourself.[signed]Love, John

"With John and Jennifer's permission, it reads "April 7, 2004 Dear Jennifer, I have been thinking and remembering Aunt Betty these past weeks, as we do at time like these, and I want you to know that here legacy for me was one of genuine human kindness, repeated many times toward me from my earliest childhood. In fact, one of my earliest memories of your mother is of visiting Brooklyn Heights as a very small child for a weekend, I believe, and during good-byes on the sidewalk I dropped a small, glass medicine bottle, which shattered into tiny shards. She had given me the shapely, dark brown bottle, I guess, because I had taken a fancy to it as small children will do as they transform mundane objects into treasures. Of course, I bent to retrieve the shards and immediately cut my finger, which caused a rather alarming amount of bleeding. The adults present rushed to correct the situation, but I remember, not concretely, but as a sort of presence, Aunt Betty's gentle attentiveness to this wound and her comforting me. The memory is soft and blurred, and filled with a gauzy, feathery sort of light, as it might be portrayed, say, in a Bergman film.* Of course, Bergman would have imbued the scene with weighty profundity, with the blood and the city rushing around this little scene. And so it was profound, as an early epiphany that such kindness existed outside of my immediate family in the person of your mother, my Aunt Betty. This attentive kindness came to be something I was drawn to over the years. I loved visiting your parents in New York City. It was exciting, of course, but they were so eagerly receptive and genuinely interested in my plans and dreams and my enthusiasms when I visited as a teenager, and as a college student, and into my twenties. Their attention was of incomprehensible value to me at that age. They let me stay for that summer during college to work which was both cool and miserable for me because of girl trouble. And, of course, I got to sleep on that cot in your room, which must have been absolutely delightful for you. Thank you for your patience. Life is hard, and I know your Mom's life was hard early on with childhood illness of a severity we can only imagine, but she became a graceful, compassionate, unselfish woman. She was that way because she was raised in a kind family by kind people. She was important to me, and I'm sorry time and distance have wrought their trite, little inconveniences in recent years. I want to be a child again and have my family back in full, with Aunt Betty leaning over me, lending comfort. I will miss her. I hope your Dad will be O.K. He and my mother have let me know of the arrangements. Love to you, Jennifer."*

Add on note by Betty's husband, Richard ...Betty, like John, loved Bergman films. I don't believe that John was aware of it, but Betty and I discovered Bergman way back in the '50s, eons before he became world famous. Not long after we moved to Brooklyn Heights in 1954, by chance we passed by a Greenwich Village Theater which featured foreign films. Photo's below the marquee seduced us into seeing the film by a film by a Swedish Director we'd never heard of. Upon viewing "Naked Night," we realized Bergman was in a class all his own. Later came "Seventh Seal." Talk about "weighty profundity!" We were hooked and is subsequent years it became a special occasion to attend a Bergman film with Betty. Her insightful observations were illuminating, inevitably provoking long stimulating discussions with our friends.

Her obituary which follows was lovingly written by her husband: "BETTY COATE, TRENTON, OHIO NATIVE, ARTIST, DIES AT 77By Richard Coate Elizabeth Coate, an artist, with her husband, Richard Coate, helped promote national awareness of the sacrifices made by Korean War veterans, died March 13 at Long Island College Hospital in Brooklyn, New York. She was 77 and had suffered complications from a fall due to an icy sidewalk the prior February 4th.

The daughter of Carl and Luella Scheibert of Trenton, Ohio, Betty's was a close knit family. With nurturing parents, Betty reflected the values of not only her Christian upbringing, but the values of a generation which placed a priority on nobility of character, good conduct, civility, courtesy, professional ethics and consideration for the feelings of others. To the week of her hospitalization, she enjoyed her weekly telephone conversations with her younger sister, Doris, to whom she was extremely close. Betty always kept me abreast of recent family news.

We had known one another from preschool days; I even sat behind her in the first grade of school in Trenton, Ohio. One Christmas during our Freshman year, Helen Weinberger, our Art and Music teacher, assigned us to the task of decorating the Principal, Harry Krueger's office window. It was not long before we became "steadies." A victim of polio at the age of six, she nonetheless led a full and productive life. Vying for championship in a Trenton High School Ping Pong tournament, we lost by one point in an overtime game to our friends, Peggy Johnson and Richard Shockey. During their college years at Ohio State, Betty was game enough to join our friend from High School Days, Harvey Seaman, also an OSU student, and me in scaling a 200 foot cliff outside Columbus, Ohio. It was a daring feat and one that Betty was fond of recalling.

Graduating with Class of '45, she enrolled as an Fine Arts Major at Miami University, Oxford, Ohio, attaining her BFA from in 1949; two years later, in 1951, she received her degree in Education at Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio. I, also an OSU graduate with a BA degree majoring in Theater, proposed to Betty in the Spring of 1950 shortly after her matriculation at Ohio State.

With the outbreak of the Korean War in June of that year, five days prior to my induction into the Army September of '50, Betty became a soldier's bride of what became labeled "the forgotten war." Some four decades later, she would play a significant role in building awareness of the Korean War and drawing attention to the plight of the combat veterans who confronted a wall of silence upon rotation home. The bulk of the five million Korean War Veterans are ignorant of the great contribution she made to their cause. Following its publication in The Middletown Journal on Easter Sunday of 1951, she secured a glossy of the nationally distributed AP photo of the Korean War rifleman in silhouette, "Korean Watch," taken of me shortly before its nationwide release. Had she not recognized its archival value, for the family at least, the now famous photograph would have been lost to posterity after its second national release in 1964-65 when the USO used it as the linchpin of their nationwide fund drive, this time symbolizing American fighting forces throughout the globe.

Beginning in 1991, she designed for national distribution hundreds of posters for the National HQ and Chapters of the fledgling Korean War Veterans Association - using the photo as anchor. Not only did these posters play a major role in building awareness of the Korean war, they were powerful instruments generating both membership to the KWVA and funds for the Korean War Veterans Memorial now situated in our nations capital. All Korean War Veterans are all deeply in her debt.

Following my army discharge in June of '52, we moved East to pursue our separate careers, she as an artist, I as an actor. While her first job, a technical illustrator with secret clearance, was with Sikorsky Aircraft, Bridgeport, Conn., I worked as a mechanic on the assembly line in the factory.

Betty continued with Sikorsky while I commuted to Manhattan to study at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. After graduation and two seasons of Summer Stock on Cape Cod, we moved to Brooklyn Heights, New York, in September of 1954. Over the years she advanced to become Art Director of the Art Department of a firm in Brooklyn. Her last job prior to retirement was with BMG, again serving as an Art Director. During her tenure at BMG she designed record jackets, page layouts and catalog covers.

With the onset of Post Polio Syndrome she was required to be "on" oxygen 24 hours a day for the last several years of her life. A devoted wife, she was a woman of considerable spunk. Despite her severe handicap, she led a highly productive life few could match. And it did not deter her from her favorite domestic chore - preparing the evening meal. A gourmet cook, she took great pride in serving not only a delicious dinner, but one that was aesthetically pleasing.

She never let her limitations prevent her from sustaining her friendship with many friends. She endeared herself to countless people throughout her life, maintaining childhood friendships and some with college chums. She loved the theater and we enjoyed attending Broadway shows together until recent years when her health did not permit.

My severest critic and most ardent supporter, she attended the bulk of the theatrical productions in which I was involved, from my student days at OSU and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, through my professional years in Summer Stock, Regional Theater, The New York Shakespeare Festival and other Off-Broadway productions. Although she was unable to attend church these last few years, Betty enjoyed membership to the Unitarian Church. In all the 74 years that I new her, including the 53 year marriage, I cannot recall anyone ever having spoken an unkind word about her. Betty was not only valiant, but a gifted, beautiful woman of great charm, warmth, gentleness and compassion. Quick to respond to the show of kindness, her disarming smile was in itself a reward. The source of her greatest pride was daughter, Jennifer. "She's enriched our lives so!" Betty would exclaim on many occasions and for good reasons. The violin her instrument, she was a student at both P. S. 8 and Roosa School of Music in Brooklyn Heights.

Following graduation from The High School of Performing Arts in Manhattan, she matriculated to the Music Department of Hofstra University. Graduating Cum Laude, she was one of two in her class to have been accepted in the National Music Society. We loved to attend the concerts with symphony or pit orchestras for numerous theatrical productions. Following graduation, she performed with the Putnam County Symphony Orchestra. Betty was so proud when Jennifer became photographer for the National Office of the March of Dimes in White Plains, NY. Among her many subjects were private audiences with two sitting Presidents of the United States.

Married to Joseph Schulz, our frequent visits to the Schulz home in Dutchess County were a highlight of her life. Known as "Grandma Betty" to her grandchildren, Emma and Christian, she will be sorely missed. Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Richard, her daughter, Jennifer Schulz, two grandchildren, Emma and Christian Schulz, her sister, Doris Thullen of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and her brother, Dr. David Scheibert, a retired neurosurgeon, who resides in Marshallville, Ga.

A memorial service will be held at the First Unitarian Church, Brooklyn Heights on Saturday, April 17, at 3 p. m. followed by a reception. A later graveside service, conducted by Rev. Richard Venus, will follow at the Woodside Cemetery in Middletown, Ohio on June 5, 2004 at 2 p. m. The following reception will be held at The Miami Valley Unitarian Universalist Fellowship, 8690 Yankee Street, Dayton, OH 45458-1835, a twenty minute drive from the cemetery. For those interested in learning more about Betty's work for the Korean War Veterans use any Search Engine on the Internet. Type in - "Betty Coate" Korean War. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the March of Dimes. Please have checks sent to Lois Erenberg, March of Dimes, 1275 Mamaroneck Ave., White Plains, NY 10605. Please add note in memo area of check reading 'in memory of Elizabeth Coate."

Notes:

Information about Albert P. is mostly from his children's memories, with some of it coming from insurance papers, deeds, and birth records.

When he was a child, he hated school and by the fifth grade his mother took a switch to him to get him to school. He was a very gentle and quiet man, the opposite of his wife in many ways. He was a very plain looking man and always very kind. His only fault mentioned was a quick temper. He went out of his way to help any person in need. He was the first of his family in Ohio to not be a practicing Quaker as an adult. He was a floor sander by trade and worked in all the counties surrounding his home. He also worked for what is now ARMCO, a steel rolling mill company. His job was to help turn the steel over and flip it onto a new line. When my dad was about nine, his father designed a device to automatically place the steel onto the new line. He showed the company his design and they said they had just gotten a patent on a similar device. They paid him $500.00 for his design. It was his design they actually built and this invention is still being used there today.

Some of what we know about Albert P. Coate comes from documents in his insurance files and my father, Albert Edward Coate. They rented one half of their Aunt's house in Piqua, Ohio when their first daughter was born. In the record of their 2nd stillborn daughter's birth in 1912, they lived at 696 Woodlawn, Middletown, Ohio. (C-DOC). They had moved to Baltimore St. in Middletown when their first son, Albert Edward was born. When Albert was 2 years old they tried to make a living by moving to the onion fields of northern Indiana. The summer brought a drought there and my father remembers living on potatoes and onions. It was a disaster and the Coate and Stevens families both moved back to Ohio after the first summer. Albert Pickering and his family then lived in Piqua, Ohio renting the house from their aunt again where Ben was born in 1916. Within a year, they moved to Trenton, Ohio on the opposite side of town that became their final home. Here Bob was born in 1917. They returned to Middletown on Franklin St. in 1919. About 1923, they returned to 113 John St. in Trenton where Albert P. Coate purchased the home I remember them living in for one thousand dollars. This is where he lived until the end of his life.

He was the third person to own a car in Trenton, Ohio. It was a Green Rio. His second car was a Model T. His young son Ben and a neighbor boy cut out the icing glass in it's windows when it was brand new. (C-687) On Sept. 13, 1934, he bought a Ford 28 Roadster from Lebanon Motor Sales for $95.00.(C-284) The final home belonging to Albert P. and Maud Stevens Coate at 113 John St., in Trenton, Ohio was sold in 1976 when Maud Coate moved to Columbus. It was listed at a cost of $23,500.00 with Jack Hembree Real Estate. (C:DOC-20)

Albert P. was known as a very friendly man. My father says "he never knew an enemy". People came from miles around to honor him at his funeral. It was one of the largest the town ever held and was packed with the people he'd befriended and an overflowing abundance of flowers. Twenty five years after his death, my father ran into a member of his community who commented on his dad's funeral and then said in a soft, sweet voice, "There was a fine.... man." He obviously touched people's hearts. One of his newspaper obituaries says that he had been ill since the November previous to his death and had been bedridden for the last three months. My father remembers his death occurring at the young age of 54 due to liver cancer. Apparently Albert P.'s smoking and years of exposure to floor sanding products got to his liver. My father, Albert Edward, stayed with him the night before he died. He died the next morning with the whole family gathered around him including his sister Mamie and her husband, Joe. His funeral service was held at the United Presbyterian Church with James P. Sturgeon and J.E. Amstutz (a Mennonite and close friend of the family) officiating. (C-284, 285, 2108) His death certificate says he died at age 53 years, 7 months and 21 days. It also says he was born on Nov 12, 1887, but his funeral book says he was born on Oct. 12, 1887 and his birth certificate says he was born on Dec. 12, 1887. The later is more likely to be correct. His son Benjamin was the person who gave the information for his death certificate and his memory on this subject might not have been accurate. His birth record would have been added closest to the event. (C: DOC)

The following is a biographical piece done by Richard Coate, son of Albert Pickering Coate about his father.ALBERT PICKERING COATE - INTELLIGENT, RESOURCEFUL AND INVENTIVE."As we all know, Dad was not a man of great means at the time he married Mom; however, an overall view of his history as a provider for his family reveals him to have been an intelligent, resourceful, and inventive man whose attempt to improve his circumstance and exercise a degree of control his own destiny was often foiled by the climate of the times in which he lived as well those who would exploit him for their own gain. That he was a man of deep humility was evident to all that knew him, due in large part to his Quaker upbringing. That he was capable of overcoming the many obstacles he confronted through the years is a testament to his tenacity, resilience and strength of character.

The pride and devotion to his family predominated all else. Considered by some to be a "dreamer" he was actually a man of considerable vision. Despite the error in judgment in quitting school at an early age, he was nonetheless determined to overcome the handicap by making his mark in the world.(In) 1915, when Marahelen and Albert were five and two respectively, Dad and Mom, along with members of the [Kaufman family] in Piqua, Ohio spent a hot, dry and unproductive summer in the Onion fields in Indiana. Though I don't know how many children they had at the time Dad and his younger brother John, owned a company for the manufacture of decorated cement blocks, they were still residing in Piqua. It must have been disheartening when Dad learned that Uncle John took off for Mexico with the $7000.00 in company funds.

When the Company was forced to close down for lack of sufficient operating funds, Dad, was again confronted with a crisis. Not one to bear a grudge, with passing time Dad apparently forgave his brother, for I recall the times Dad visited Uncle John at his home in Hamilton, Oh. However, as long as Mom lived she never had a good word to say about her brother-in-law. Though it is not known when he became an employee of the steel manufacturing company which became known as Armco in Middletown, Oh., Dad's inventive mind became a boon to his employer. In 1922, he was paid $ 1,000.00 for an invention of a means whereby a sheet of steel was automatically placed onto a new line in the manufacturing process. After he paid the man whom supplied material and the money to develop the invention, his profit only amounted to $5,00.00. Revolutionary as the process proved to be, the $500.00 was still pittance in comparison to the boon it proved to be for his employer. The amount of money and time in labor it saved them is inestimable.

Apparently Dad used some of the money to purchase the house on 113 John Street in Trenton, which became our home until Mom sold it in 1976. It was still in the boom years of the '20s when Dad left Armco. He apparently used some of the money to invest in a new business of his own. Dad would continue in the floor sanding business until his death. However, during the early depression years, floor sanders or refinishers as they were sometimes referred to, were not in great demand. Confronted with yet another personal financial crisis, Dad again confronted the challenge with the courage and resourcefulness that was akin to his nature. Though I have vague recall of Dad loading blocks of ice containing frozen fish onto the fender of his car, I was not old enough to appreciate what he did with them after he pulled out of our driveway. The older boys in the family no doubt recall that Dad hawked the fish as one source of income. He purchased the fish encased in ice blocks at the fish market in Middletown, Oh. Securing the blocks on either fender of the front bumper of his truck, he proceeded through the streets of Trenton and Middletown, calling out for all to hear. "Fresh fish for sale, Fresh fish for sale. Get them before their gone!" Warren tells me that he did this for several winters in those early depression years. By the time the Depression began to ease up, Dad was back at floor sanding full time.

As all the boys in the family learned the business, we had good reason to be proud of our father. By the mid-thirties, word had spread about the pride he took in his work as well as his work ethic. Always an advocate of a fair business deal, his client's invariably recommended his work to others. By the time ill health forced him to retire, his territory expanded to include Middletown, Hamilton, Lebanon, Franklin, Oxford, the outskirts of Cincinnati and Dayton, Oh. His clients included business people, owners of luxurious farm homes as well as those of city dwellers. As a boy, I found the diversity of his clients exciting and it always proved to be an adventure to work in these great houses I would never have seen had it not been for Dad's choice of occupation. As the invention for Armco Steel had lasting impact, Dad was sure that his invention for a more efficient floor sanding machine would lift him from the economic woes which plagued him for most of his married life. The invention was intended to render the machine more efficient in operation and less time consuming in the achievement of the desired result - a smooth, magnificent finish intended to endure for years. I recall the many arduous hours Dad spent working on the invention with his partner, Gink in "Gink's garage." Gink [short for Gingerich] was a long time, and highly respected Trenton resident. Dad, in the late '30s, employed Gink's hearing impaired son. Unfortunately, Dad's illness halted work on the invention, so a patent was never issued.

Though some of my older brothers often referred to Dad as a dreamer, he was, in my mind, a true visionary. As one with proven ability to conceive ways to improve productivity in a manufacturing process ranked him well above those who readily accept status quo as norm. Had he not been felled so early in life, I am sure that a patent on the invention for improving the sanding machine would have resulted in the financial boon he deserved. And I might add, as a kid whose formative years were during the hard times of the Great Depression, I was not a little envious of those who could afford to live so well. And it was a proud moment for me to walk hand in hand with Dad through the streets of Trenton, passing towns people who invariably addressed him, "Hello, Mr. Coate. How's the family." Dad would always respond with a warm smile, nodding in the affirmative, replying "Just fine, thank you." The occupational hazards of working with material giving off toxic fumes would take its toll. In 1939 when his health began to fail, Ben, a student at Ohio State University, having established his own floor sanding business in Columbus, Oh. was able to supplement Dad's diminishing income.

By summer of 1940 Dad was no longer able to work and the burden of supporting the family fell upon the older boys. Given the circumstance at home, Bill, Shirley and myself would spend a year away from home, Bill living with Aunt Grace and Uncle Corey in Akron, Oh., Shirley with Marahelen and Charles in Ashville, NC, and I with Ben's business partner's family, the Renwick's of Uhrichsville, Oh.[Though I could never relate this experience to Charles at the time I wrote the letter, by late May of 1941 we returned home to discover that Dad's weight was so reduced that he was a mere shadow of his former self. The day before he died, Dad summoned me to his bedside to read from the 23rd psalm from his bible. It was an experience I treasure. That he had singled me out for so private a moment so near his death was a defining one.

During my first days as a combat rifleman, I would have reason to recall that an ennobling experience with Dad. I, too, would seek comfort by repeating the 23rd psalm. On a post card to Betty I would inform her of my assignment, my address and state, "If I've repeated the 23rd psalm once, I've repeated it a hundred times this past day." Dawn of June 2, 1941 is one I shall never forget. Marahelen's gentle hand shaking me, her insistent voice commanded me to wake up. Her speech had taken on a soft southern inflection. "Wake up Dick, wake up, your Daddy's dyin.'" I recall racing downstairs to join the entire family, including Helen Schenck, Aunt Mamie and Uncle Joe, who were gathered around his bed at the moment of his passing. It was a sad day for all of us. Dad was dearly loved and respected and the impact of his life upon his immediate family, relatives and a vast array of friends, business associates and clients, accounts for the huge turn of those who came to pay their respects at his funeral."

Albert married Maud STEVENS on 2 May 1910 in Covington, Kenton, KY, USA. Maud (daughter of John STEVENS, * and Keturah (Kitty) DIMMACK) was born on 14 May 1892 in Dayton, Montgomery, OH, USA; died on 27 Mar 1982 in Columbus, Franklin, OH; was buried on 30 Mar 1982 in Woodside Cemetery, Middletown, Butler, OH, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Maud Stevens Coate was a true character. She is remembered by me as a great storyteller, chronic complainer, and the life of any party she attended. I really enjoyed how much fun she could be. The minute she attended a get-together, she'd be laughing and ready to do a jig. I remember her very expressive face as she scared the wits out of her grandchildren while telling them ghost stories around the campfire. I came to be a storyteller myself, partially due to her influence.

When I interviewed her, she related an interesting story about how she and her husband met. She had gone to visit her cousin Helen Lee. Helen's cousin was Albert Pickering Coate. He came to visit Helen at the same time. The three of them raided the chicken coop and cooked their catch on the day they met. Maud and Albert married 7 months later when she was almost 18. My father says that Maud's sister, Keturah, forged her mother's name on the parent consent form for their marriage. Maude remembers that she weighed 98 pounds at this event.

She had a very demanding life raising nine children through the depression years. She had to have a strong nature to make it through those years mastering the tasks of caring, cooking, and sewing for such a large crowd with absolutely minimal resources. Her husband died early in his fifties which meant she was alone to raise nine children. To her great credit, all of them graduated from High School. Four of them also completed several years of college. A fifth son, Richard, not only went to college but was likely the first Coate in our tree to achieve a degree, a B.A., majoring in theatre, minoring in American Literature and Art.

Most of her children had some involvement in the service and major wars of the 20th century. Warren and Bob served in the army in World War II. Ben served in the Air Force. Richard served in the Korean War. Shirley was in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 -1955 serving in Newfoundland. Maude was one of the original liberated women. My uncle Richard, relayed the story of when she and her husband had gotten a new horse and buggy. Albert P. had warned her not to go near the horse until he had broken him in, but Maude was a stubborn woman. She rigged him up to the buggy to go pick up her husband after work at Armco. Not only was she in for a wild ride, but she sure surprised her husband when she flew past him in the buggy where she was trying to pick him up.

She also was the first woman in Trenton to open her own business. She was an artist with her handmade afghans and crafts. Her craft store was apparently still open when I was very small. I have one memory of it. She had had the store for many years at that point in time. Her social security number, 301-30-0046 was issued in 1952, years after she had started her business.

She lived most of her life at 113 John St. in Trenton, Ohio, the yellow wood home where her children were raised. Her sons helped move her to Columbus, Ohio for her last few years to be near her family. (C-2108E) According to the newspaper clipping from the Columbus Dispatch, she was a member of the Mt. Olivet Presbyterian Church, the W.S.M. Sewing Club, the C.I.C. Sunday School class, and the D.A.R. in Trenton, Ohio. Upon her death, just shy of 90 years, she left 20 grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren. (C-281, 282, 283, 285, 286) She and her husband are buried a couple of rows from her cousin, Albert Dimmack in section 19 of Woodside Cemetery in Middletown, Ohio, and a son, Bill, who is in section 20 of that cemetery. ( C: Doc)

Notes:

Warren Coate taught school at Wilmington, Ohio where I believe he had gone to college. He then married and inherited the large dairy farm in Ludlow Falls, Ohio from his father. He somehow lost possession of it financially about 1899, at which point he and his wife Ida Jane and family moved to Piqua, Ohio. They rented a house owned by (Mary) Jane Mast Pickering at 309 Wood St. Warren went to work for a dairy farm across the street from there. When he no longer could do that hard labor, he helped his wife run the boarding house that was one side of the home they were renting. (Mary) Jane Mast Pickering was very aged and didn't know that her relatives renting her home were also running a boarding house for a good 20 year period. This is also the home she later rented to Albert Pickering Coate and Maude Stevens Coate, my dad's parents, several times. (Interview of my father, Albert Edward Coate, C-54 & 606)

Warren's grandson, Richard Coate, remembers him handing him a "Milky Way" candy bar when he was just a preschooler. It made a lasting impression. He also remembers him sweeping the rows between the corn in the backyard garden with a broom! On Warren's death certificate, he was listed as a gardener by occupation. He lived on Urbana Pike R.R. 5 St. in Piqua, Ohio at his death. He died of Volvulus of a transverse colon in Memorial Hospital on Sep. 27, 1929. (C-1847, DOC)

Warren married Ida Jane HARB on 30 Jan 1879 in , Miami, OH, USA. Ida (daughter of Marquis Lafayette HARB, * and Arabelle C. MAST) was born on 15 Feb 1860 in Van Wert, Van Wert, Ohio, USA; died on 4 Sep 1926 in Hamilton, Butler, OH, USA; was buried on 6 Sep 1926 in West Milton, Miami, OH, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

Much can be learned about Ida Jane Harb Coate in her obituary. It verifies her parents and states she went to live in West Milton, Ohio in 1876 to stay with her mother's sister, Mrs. M.J. Pickering. "Here she became a member of the First Christian Church and was a teacher in the West Milton Public schools." After her marriage in 1878 she joined his church, The Friends Church of West Milton. After they moved to Piqua she moved her letter to the Grace M.E. church where she was a faithful member for 25 years. "Her cheerfulness and her sweet patience have been a source of inspiration to all who have had the privilege of coming in contact with her. Forgetful of self, ever mindful of her family and those about her, a loving and faithful wife, a wonderful mother, her going leaves a void that can never be filled."

My files also include a letter written in her own hand from Memphis, Tenn. dated Jan. 10 1920. She wrote to Mamie & All (Meaning her children) back in Piqua, Ohio. She was apparently helping "Margie" to get regain her health. (C-DOC)

A third document, is a letter in Ida's handwriting dated just two months before her death, June 18, 1926. She was writing to her daughter Grace. She had gone to live in Hamilton in 1926 or so. (C-54) She said her health was improving, that she felt really good when she was lying down or sitting, but could not walk without being weak headed. Her heart was still too weak. Even so, her letter had grace and a beautiful turn of phrase clear to the end. (C-365)

Notes:

According to his obituary in the Dayton Journal dated Mar. 29, 1922, he was born in Manchester, England. Family tradition has been that he was born in London or in Lancaster, England (Death certificate). However, in the 1881 census record for England his birth place is listed as Rugby, Warwick, England. This is the only source that lists his birth place while he was alive. It was not the same as his wife's or children's place of birth. His birth date is listed as Nov. 25, 1853 or Nov. 25, 1857 (death certificate).

The 1881 census tells us that he was 24 years of age, making either 1856 or 1857 correct. His christening record took place in Aug. of 1857, so he was therefore likely born in Nov. of 1856. Fred Stevens gave the information on the death certificate that is often at variance with other sources. There is a John Stevens and Keturah Dimmock living in the Parish of Hackney, Co. of Middlesex in 1875 on Englefield Rd. that are probably them. (C-589) He was a superintendent of the mechanical department for the "ChatterBox". It was an English child's annual storybook.

In the 1881 census, John is listed as a printer and they lived at 161 Eversleigh Rd., Battersea, Surrey, England. In his christening record and 1881 census record, his name is listed as John Stevens. My father remembered his middle name being Charles, but that has not been verified. He (age 26) and his wife, "Katy" (age 27) and sons, Fred (age 7) and George (age 4) emigrated to the United States arriving in New York on November 1, 1883 on the Grecian Monarch. This was before Ellis Island was opened. They had departed from London, England. John was listed as a printer by profession. They came in Steerage with 3 pieces of luggage for the entire family. (C: Doc)

In his 1922 obituary, he was listed as having been in the U.S. for 35 years, but in reality it was around 39 years. They first moved to Wheeling, West Virginia where he worked as in Interior Decorator. They them moved to Dayton, Ohio in 1892 where he continued in the same trade and where he lived for the remainder of his days. He is listed as a painter living at 1916 E. Fifth Street in the Dayton, Ohio 1889 and 1890 directories. There are several Stevens in the Dayton, Montgomery Co., OH directory of 1887 that have similar names to his children, who could be his relatives that he followed to Ohio. They include an A.E. Stevens, an Alfred, a George W. (1845-1923) and a John Stevens. (C-1905, C-Doc) In the U.S. 1900 census, John is listed as a house painter who could read, write and speak English. They rented their home at 411 N. Main St, Dayton, Ohio. Both John's and Keturah's parents were born in England. (C-98) In his later years, John worked for a cookie factory called Greene and Greene as a painter and custodian.

His sons (Alfred) George and Albert Edward were at one time both in the painting business with him. They lived through 7 floods in the United States. (C-2,4, 1899) These floods might account for the reason they moved often renting the following residences in Dayton, Ohio according to Dayton City Directories: 1900: 411N Main St., 1902: 67 E. Halena, 1908: 218 N. Linwood, 1914: 522 W. 3rd. In his death certificate, his son Fred gives his birth date as Nov. 25, 1857. However, both census records give his age matching a birth year of 1853. (C-226, C:Doc)

As for his death, this was a very sad event for his children. John had remarried and was quite ill. When my father's mother and her sisters wanted to visit their father on his death bed on Bolander Ave, their new mother-in-law wouldn't let them in. She got all of his belongings including all the family heirlooms and furniture from England. The daughters even suspected that he was poisoned by his wife. However, his death certificate says that he died of a cerebral hemorrhage compounded by pneumonia that he'd had for the last 7 days. He died at 9:30 on a Monday evening. The funeral was held at the home of his daughter, Keturah Ritter, at 2:00 p.m. on Mar. 30, 1922. (C:DOC, 2077, 2517)

John married Keturah (Kitty) DIMMACK on 2 Jun 1875 in Hackney, Middlesex, ENG. Keturah (daughter of Benjamin DIMMOCK and Martha AUSTIN) was born on 2 Jun 1855 in West Bromwich, Staffordshire, ENG; died on 11 Feb 1918 in Dayton, Montgomery, OH, USA; was buried on 14 Feb 1918 in Woodland Cemetery, Dayton, Montgomery, OH, USA. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

Notes:

According to her daughter, Maud, Kitty combed her hair with sage tea everyday so that everyone thought she had black hair until three weeks before her death. Albert Pickering nicknamed her "Roly Poly" because she was 4'9" and 140 lbs. She had a white poodle which she led on walks by carrying a sucker behind her. It worked quite well according to my father at keeping him following her. She was apparently an alcoholic, suffered with arthritis and died of a heart attack at about age 63. Her death certificate says she died of Chronic Brights Disease which is a disorder of the kidneys. (C-2, C:DOC) According to her obituary, she died at 8 o'clock in the morning on Feb. 11th. She was buried on Valentines' Day and her funeral was held at her daughter, Keturah Ritter's home. There were relatives listed in Albert Pickering Coate's Funeral Memory book in 1941 listed as Mr. and Mrs. E. Dimmack. They were Ephram and Daisy Dimmack from Middletown. According to my Dad, Albert Edward Coate, they were his 2nd cousins related to Keturah Dimmack Stevens. This could mean that they were 1st cousins once removed instead, but his family would call that relationship a second cousin. Ephram's brother was Albert Dimmack. Two of Albert's daughters had taken my father to their Episcopal Church a couple times (probably in Middletown.) (C-2078, 2517)

They are also related to Dimmacks in Wheeling, WV. (C-687) I have found a birth record for a Keturah Dimmock born the same day as our Keturah in Stourbridge, Kinswinford, co. Stafford, England that could be a relative of our Keturah. The birth record takes place on Jun 10, 1855 on 392 Moorelane. Parents, John Dimmock and Seah Priest Dimmock. (C-300) There is a marriage record another Keturah Ann Dimmack that I sent for that turns out to be a cousin to our Keturah. It's for a Keturah Ann Dimmack who marries a Richard Dawes on Mar. 4, 1876 (though it looks like 1846 - it was indexed as 1876) in Saint Peters Church, Wolverhampton Parish, co. Staffordshire, England. Her father is listed as Mathias Dimmack (our Keturah's Uncle) who was a horse dealer.

There is a Benjamin Dimmack in the London, England 1871 census, age 23, born in Lambeth, Surrey, ENG that would be the right age to be her cousin also. He could be the Benjamin Charles Dimmack that married in 1873 in Wolverhampton District which included parts of the counties of Shropshire, Staffordshire and West Midlands. Wolverhampton District is one place where several events in this family grouping appear to be recorded.