Walter F. Coolidge
Educator 32 years, Dies
Well-Known Throughout Community
Principal and Teacher at GCHS

Walter F. Coolidge, 2325 Delmar Avenue, former superintendent of of Granite City high school, died at 7:30 p.m. yesterday at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. Coolidge, who was 87, had been moved to the hospital four hours before his death from the Madison Nursing Home. He had been ill for two months.

Well known and likek, Coolidge was honored by the community in 1956 when a new modern junior high school was named after him. He retired from school work June 3, 1945.

He is survived by his wife, Helen, a son. George Coolidge, Granite City; a brother, Dr. Edward Coolidge, Evanston; and a sister, Miss Nellie Coolidge, St. Paul, Minn.

Mr. Coolidge could be seen almost daily during fair weather seayed with his wife in their front yard. Neighbors and friends often stopped by for a chat. However, about a month ago he entered a nursing home at Alton and s short time ago transferred to the Madison Nursing Home to be close to home.

He continued to be active, attending meetings of the V.F.W. Post and until recently always took part in community parades in which veterans participated. He held the office of commander of the local Spanish-American War Veterans chapter for a number of years.

Coolidge, who was born in Galesburg, moved to this area 50 years ago to serve as Granite City high school principal. Under his administration Central and Community high schools were built and vocational training and night school began. Thousands of Granite Cityans knew him personally either as principal or teacher.

Church Elder, Teacher

For 11 years, 1950 -1961, he was a member of the Granite City Public Library Board. He was president of the Board from 1952 -1961. From 1929 - 1961 he was president of Madison County Federal Savings and Loan Association. Coolidge was an elder at the First Presbyterian Church where he also taught Sunday School.

Coolidge who received a bachelors and master’s degree from Knox College and a master’s degree from the University of Chicago, was a sergeant in the Spanish-American War.

Services will be held at 1 p.m.

SOURCE: Granite City Press-Record - December 26, 1963

OBITUARY
W.F. Coolidge, Granite City,
Is Dead at 87

Walter F. Coolidge, 87, of 2325 Delmar Ave., Granite City, a civic leader and retired educator, died at 7:30 p.m., Wednesday in St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Granite City. He had been ill a month.

Mr. Coolidge had been with the Granite City school system from 1913 to 1945, serving as the high school superintendent until 1928 and then as teacher of social studies until his retirement. He started the vocational night school system in Granite City. Seven years ago, a newly constructed junior high school was named in his honor.

Mr. Coolidge was born in Galesburg, Ill., and lived in Granite City 50 years. He received a bachelors and masters degree from Knox College in Galesburg and a masters degree in education and math at Chicago University.

He was president of the Madison County Federal Savings and Loan Assn. Until his retirement in1961 when he was elected president emeritus. He served as president of the Granite City Library Board from 1950 to 1961, then continued to serve as a member of the board.

Mr. Coolidge was a past commander of V.F.W. Post 1300, past commander of Camp 121 Spanish War Veterans, charter member and past president of the Granite City Rotary Club, 32nd degree Mason and member of Masonic Lodge 877, Scottish Rite of East St. Louis, Ainad Shrine, and the Tri-City Shrine Club.

Services will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday in the Mercer Funeral Chapel, Granite City. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery, Edwardsville Township. Friends may call after 1 p.m. Friday at the funeral home.

Veteran of the war with Spain in 1898, educator, Mason and Shriner, library president. Rotarian, pioneer Granite Cityan - Walter F. “Jake” Coolidge leaves a far greater impact on his community than the large junior high school which bears his name.

Devoting 46 of his 87 years to public school teaching and administration, the half century local resident served in the former Granite City high school district from 1913 to 1945, handling the duties of principal and superintendent from 192 to 1931.

A contemporary of the late L.P. Frohardt, original Granite City grade school superintendent , Mr. Coolidge remained active in civic affairs almost until the time of his death last week. His principal memorials will be his leadership and expansion of the high school and adult programs and facilities, and the imprint of his example and guidance on the lives of thousands of local students.

SOURCE: Granite City Press-Record - December 30, 1963

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