Paul Samuel Coffelt

M/Sgt. USAF (Ret.) Paul Samuel Coffelt, age 99, of Bridgeport Lane, Winchester, Virginia, passed away on Saturday, August 2, 2003 at home.

Mr. Coffelt was born November 9, 1903, in Middletown, Virginia, the son of the late Ira Milton and Vernie Alice Shrum Coffelt.

He enlisted September 25, 1925 with the 1st Army Air Force at Bolling Field, DC. He retired from active duty December 3, 1946, with 21 years of service. He served nine years reserve duty retiring February 29, 1956. Awards and medals include Rifle Marksman, Expert, American Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Following his retirement from the military, he worked for 13 years at the American Viscose Corporation, Front Royal, Virginia.

Mr. Coffelt was a member of Grace United Methodist Church, Middletown, VA, a life member of Moose Lodge #403 in Strasburg, VA, having joined in 1948, a member of the American Legion, Conrad-Hoover Post 21, Winchester, VA, and a life member of the National Association of Uniformed Services.

He married Mary Parker Taylor on January 31, 1942. Mary preceded him in death on November 1, 2000.

He is survived by a daughter, Kay C. Ritter and husband, Floyd of Winchester, VA; a step-son, Raymond A. Taylor and wife, Doris of Bunker Hill, WV; two grandchildren, Celeste Broadstreet and Floyd L. Ritter, Jr.; four step-grandchildren, Ray Taylor, Gary Taylor, Terry Taylor, and Mary Ann Taylor; three great-grandchildren; four step-great-grandchildren; and one brother, Lawrence Coffelt of Middletown, VA.

A funeral service will be conducted on Wednesday, August 06, 2003 at 2 p.m. at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel, with the Reverend Jason Duley officiating. Burial will follow in Shenandoah Memorial Park with military honors accorded by VFW Post 2123.

Pallbearers will be Floyd L. Ritter, Jr., Ray Taylor, Gary E. Taylor, Terry Taylor, Steven Broadstreet, and James E. Pyne, Jr.

The family will receive friends on Tuesday evening, from 7:00 until 9:00 PM at Omps Funeral Home, South Chapel.

Memorial contributions may be made to Blue Ridge Hospice, 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, VA 22601 or Macedonia United Methodist Church Building Fund, 1941 Macedonia Church Road, White Post, VA 22663.