Maynard Coon

Maynard J. Coon, age 87 of Mansfield, died Tuesday August 17, 2004 at MedCentral Mansfield Hospital. Mr. Coon was born April 15, 1917 in Richland Township Allen County, Ohio. He lived most of his life in the Richland County area. He graduated from Bluffton High School in 1934, Bluffton College in 1938 and received a Masters' Degree from the Ohio State University in 1947. He began his educational career as a teacher at North Robinson, and was commissioned an officer in the U.S.N. reserve in 1943. He served aboard the USS Zeal, a fleet minesweeper in the Pacific, making invasions of Pelelieu, Leyte, Okinawa, and the occupation of Japan. He was promoted to Lt. jg. In 1945 he was appointed superintendent of Whetstone Schools. In 1952 he went to Plymouth as superintendent, and in 1962 went to Madison as assistant superintendent, retiring in 1976 as superintendent. For the next ten years he directed the Richland County School's Media Center. He is a fifty-year member of the Masonic Lodge and a member the USS Zeal Association. He faithfully served the Lord through his membership at the First United Methodist Church, by teaching Sunday school for more than 30 years and singing in the choir. He also holds memberships in the Mansfield Garden Club and the Buckeye Association of School Administrators.

Surviving are his wife of 64 years, Irene Bogan Coon; two daughters and sons-in-law, Janis & Fred Buzard of Plymouth, Jo Ann & Robert Maxey of Mansfield; a son and daughter-in-law, James & Stacy Coon of Orlando, Florida; ten grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; a brother, Dr. Herbert L. Coon; a sister-in-law, Betty Coon and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, H. Lee & Mary Badertscher Coon of Bluffton; a brother, Robert N. Coon, and a son-in-law Terry J. Toth.

Friends may call at the Ontario Home of Wappner Funeral Directors Friday from 2-4 & 7-9 p.m. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 10:30 a.m. at First United Methodist Church, 12 N. Diamond Street, Mansfield, Ohio, conducted by Rev. Charles Tobias. Military graveside services will be held at Mansfield Memorial Park. Memorial contributions may be made to First United Methodist Church or the American Heart Association.