Obituary: Ramon Coffman - Class of 1914

Ex-columnist `uncle Ray' Dies

Wisconsin State Journal :: Metro/State :: 1B

Monday, June 19, 1989

Ramon Coffman, 92, a former Madison resident whose popular ``Uncle Ray's Corner'' column appeared in The Wisconsin State Journal for 45 years, died Saturday in a Palo Alto, Calif., nursing home.

The column, which ran in newspapers throughout the United States and in several foreign countries, was intended to teach children about science. The column ran in The State Journal from 1925 to 1970. Coffman also wrote 14 books on subjects from science to travel to biographies, and published ``Uncle Ray's Magazine.''

A native of Indianapolis, Coffman spent his boyhood in Madison. He moved to Shorewood Hills in 1935 and lived there until 1949. He later lived in several states but often returned to Madison.

Coffman attended Yale and Columbia universities and the New York College for Social Research. He earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Wisconsin in 1927.

Coffman is survived by four children, Gratton, Peyton, Roger and Kathleen Davis. Funeral arrangements are pending.

Note: Ramon Coffman's class year is based on information in the 1914 Tychoberahn.

Obituary: Marie M. (Young) Poole - Class of 1934

Mrs. Lyle Pool,
Businesswoman,
Dies at Age 56

Mrs. Lyle A. Poole, 56, of 5614 Lake Mendota Dr., vice-president of Poole's Northgate and the Northgate Lanes, died Friday (Feb. 4, 1972) in a Madison hospital after a long illness.

The former Marie M. Young was also secretary of Poole's Cuba Club. She was born in Plain, Sauk County, and was married to Mr. Poole on Mar. 8, 1941. Mrs. Poole was a member of Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Church and its Queen's Guild.

Surviving besides her husband are three sons, Gary, Gregory, and Geoffrey, all of Middleton; three sisters, Mrs. Melville Johnston, 617 South Shore Drive.; Mrs. Layton Schwartz, Rhinelander; and Mrs. Donald Doman, Janesville; and three grandchildren.

Friends may call at the Joyce Funeral Home, 5701 Odana Rd., after 3 p.m. Sunday. The rosary will be recited at 7:30 Sunday night.

The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Monday at the church. Burial will be in Resurrection Cemetery.

The family suggested memorials to the American Cancer Society, and that flowers be omitted.

Note: The above was originally published in the Obituaries section of the Wisconsin State Journal on February 5, 1972. At this time, obituaries were still "news stories," written by newspaper staff, not families.

Marie Young Poole's class year is based on information in the 1934 Orange and Black yearbook, where her senior photo is included among those of the June graduates.