John Robert “Bob” Coolman, age 90, died February 2, 2013 due to complications from Parkinson’s disease. He was born, on October 24, 1922 in Wadsworth, Ohio to the late Bernard Ephriam Coolman and Edna Mae Hartman. He was a life-long resident of Wadsworth, Ohio.

He was preceded in death by his infant daughter Francis Edna and seven siblings, Celia White (Wayne), Laberta Lee (Perry), Marion Tinkham (Albert), Betty Hugus (Don), William “Bill” Coolman (Shirley), Richard Coolman (Rina), Barbara Norman (Gale).

He is survived by his loving wife of 65 years, Mary Ellen and his six children, Don Coolman (Erin), Gary Coolman, Kathy Coolman, Pat Soderholm (Jeff), Ted Coolman, and Mary Evelyn “Mame” Corson (Craig) along with10 grandchildren and 6 great-grand children.

Bob was a pipefitter at Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company in Akron where he worked a ridiculous amount of overtime to raise six children until he retired after 32 years.

Bob had a strong sense of right and wrong and served his country and community in many ways. In WWII he served in North Africa and Italy as an artillery forward observer, gaining the rank of Sergeant with the 34th Infantry Division. He contributed to the community of Wadsworth by serving on City Council representing the 4th Ward for several years. He was the council liaison for the Wadsworth Airmen’s association, volunteered for Meals on Wheels and at Wadsworth Rittman Hospital where he was known as “The Candy Man.” He was active in the Lion’s Club.

As an avid birder, he and Mary Ellen traveled with binoculars and a field guide. He helped countless family members and friends identify birds both common and rare. He loved nature and cared very much about the habitats of birds and other wildlife. He learned gardening on his grandmother’s farm and for many years, he grew vegetables. But he always tended the roses he grew to present to his beautiful wife.
Family will receive friends Friday Feb. 8. 2013 from 5-7 pm at the Hilliard-Rospert Funeral Home, 174 N. Lyman Street Wadsworth Ohio and one hour prior to services from 10-11 am Saturday. A Memorial Service will be conducted at 11 am with Evelyn Craig, IHM officiating. Family will receive friends one hour prior to the service.
Memorial contributions can be made to National Parkinson Foundation (NPF) at www.parkinson.org National Parkinson Foundation
Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018.