Walter L. Elmore

CHARLESTON, IL – Walter L. Elmore, age 99 of Charleston, passed away on Monday, April 23, 2018 at his Brookstone of Charleston residence with loving family by his side.  Visitation will be held from 11:00 a.m. until noon on Thursday, April 26, 2018 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston.  Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will be held at noon on Thursday with Reverend Pat Murphy and Reverend Chris Prater officiating.  Burial with military rites will follow in Roselawn Cemetery, Charleston.  It is requested that in lieu of flowers, thoughtful donations in his honor be made to Carle Hospice.  Gifts may be left at the visitation or service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.

The life of Walter Elmore began on December 20, 1918 in the community of Hodgenville, Kentucky.  He was the third of ten children born to the late Lucien L. and Grace (Walters) Elmore.  Walt was educated in the public school of Elizabethtown, Kentucky, and as an athlete excelled in football, basketball, and track.  As an outstanding high school football player he was a two time selection to the Kentucky All State Football team and received an athletic scholarship to Georgetown College (KY).  Walt majored in math and physical education, was active in school activities such as Student Senate and the President’s Round Table, and excelled in football.  He was selected for the 1941 Little All-American Football Team his senior year and was inducted into the Hardin County Sports Hall of Fame.  He was invited to the Philadelphia Eagles Pro Team tryouts but in the meantime was admitted to the Naval Air Corps.  His WWII Naval career began October 8, 1942 and he experienced action in the First Battle of the Philippines Sea, the Second Battle of the Philippines Sea, the Battle of Leyte Gulf and the Philippines Liberation Action.  Among other awards Ensign Elmore was awarded four Battle Stars and the Presidential Unit Citation Award prior to being honorably discharged from active duty on December 21, 1945.  It was during his military service that he met and married Jane Derrick who preceded him in death on May 25, 1973.

Following his discharge from the Navy, Walt enrolled in graduate school at the University of Kentucky on the G.I. Bill. With a Master’s Degree in Education, he began teaching and coaching at Georgetown (KY) High School.  The summer of 1948 he was invited to join the faculty of Eastern Illinois State College as an instructor at Eastern State High School, teaching physical education, health and coaching in the athletic program.  In addition he supervised college physical education majors during the student teaching semester.  From 1956-57, he was assigned teaching duties at the college level, and was an assistant varsity football coach.  In 1958, Walt was chosen to be one of the coordinators in the new off-campus student teaching program.  It was a position that he would hold until his retirement in 1988.  Walt was extremely proud of his profession and the caliber of student teachers who were a part of the EIU Student Teaching Program.  He was a member of the National, State and SE District of Illinois levels of the Health, Physical Education and Recreation Professionals Organization, serving as President of the HPER in 1971.  Walt was honored in 1982 by being names Physical Education Teacher of the Year by the State of Illinois HPER Organization.

In addition, Walt officiated school games and contests and was a certified official by the IHSA in football, basketball, and track and field.  Walt was honored at the IHSA Boys State Track Meet in 1978 and 1979, and at the Girls State Track Meet in 1992 and 1993 as Head Starter; and as Head Referee for Boys State Track in 1980 and 1981 and for Girls State Track in 1987 and 1988.  He was honored by the IHSA as Boys Track and Field Official of the Year in 1990 and at Girls State Track in 1993.  He served as the Head Referee in the National Jr. College Track and Field Meet in 1991. 

In recognition of Walt’s time and effort as an outstanding athlete and official he has been inducted into the following Hall of Fames:  Athletic Hall of Fame, Hardin County (KY) 1958; Athletic Hall of Fame, Eastern Illinois University (1996); Athletic Hall of Fame, Georgetown College (KY) 2002; and Athletic Hall of Fame, Illinois Track and Cross Country Coaches Association 2008.

Walt has been instrumental in the areas of service and public relations at Eastern Illinois University.  School administrators, teachers, coaches and students recognize the great service and timeless effort Walt has put forth in serving them and the university. 

Following his retirement Walt has enjoyed hobbies such as fishing, hunting, playing bridge, gardening, visiting and being helpful to others.  He enjoyed visiting Ron and Steve, other family members, and his special friend, Miss Dorothy Provines of Olney, Illinois. 

Walt has been a longtime faithful member of the First Baptist Church family in Charleston and may hold the record for being the longest continuous member.  Walter served one term on the Board of Trustees and was involved in other church activities as well.  He often expressed his appreciation for the fine Christian education provided to his family by ministers and Sunday school teachers.  He and his wife were at one time a part of the “Young Married Couples Class” which he truly enjoyed.

Walt is survived by his sons, W. Ronald Elmore and wife Elizabeth Paxson of Traverse City, Michigan and Dr. Steven Elmore and wife Marsha of Salt Lake City, Utah;; four grandchildren, Kellen (Melissa) Elmore, Brady (Bernice) Elmore, Garrett (Jodi) Elmore and Hunter Elmore; a step-granddaughter, Caitlyn (Magill Foote) Paxson of Toronto, Canada; soon to be ten great-grandchildren; two sisters, Roberta Connor and Betty (Bill) Cofer, all of Elizabethtown, Kentucky; and numerous nieces and nephews.  Walt was also preceded in death by five brothers, J. Marshall, Ralph, William, Jesse, and Kenneth Elmore; a sister, Linda Mae Self; and his longtime friend and companion, Dorothy Provines.

These are just some of the highlights of Walter Elmore’s life – a life that was lived to the fullest and one that made an impact on students, colleagues, friends and a family who loved him dearly.