Edward L. “Ed” Cohoon, 79, of Crystal City died Nov. 9, 2016, at his home. Mr. Cohoon, an active bowler and avid golfer, was a retired store manager with Western Auto, where he worked for 32 years. He was a veteran of the U.S. Navy, receiving an honorable discharge with a Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal in 1958. He was a member of American Legion Post 253 and Amvets Post 42, and was a lifetime member of Mercy Hospital Jefferson Auxiliary, where he was an active volunteer for 12 years.
Mr. Cohoon was very active with the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks. He was a member of Lodge 1721 in Crystal City, serving as exalted ruler from 1974-1975 and 1994-1995. He also served as esquire, inner guard, tiler, secretary, lecturing knight, loyal knight and leading knight at the lodge level. At the district level, he served as marshal, district director and vice-president, as well as chairman of the district’s gold and picnic committees for many years. At the state level, he served as president-elect in 2007-2008, Missouri 100th State President 2008-2009, state ritual chairman 2003-2012 and was responsible for helping initiating the state softball tournaments. He also was esquire to the district deputy grand exalted ruler 2002-2003 and 2003-2004; and served as grand lodge ritual judge four times. He was born April 29, 1937, in Benton, Ill., he was the son of the late Robert and Fleta Fern (Dethrow) Cohoon.
He is survived by his wife: Kathryn “Kay” (Nason-Lemme) Cohoon; two sons: Darvin (Veronica) Lemme of Columbia and Eddie (Christy) Cohoon of Affton; six daughters: Mary (James) Fakes of Festus, Lynne (Douglas) Wendel of Festus, Leslee (Earl Jr.) Cook of Festus, Cheryl (Danny) Eubanks of Nashville, Tenn., Sandra Sredl of Pacific and Katherine (John) La Rosa of Atlanta, Ga.; a brother: Robert (Alice) Cohoon of Festus; a half sister: Leona Case of Orlando, Fla.; 14 grandchildren; two great-grandsons; and two nephews.
He was preceded in death by a half sister: Josephine Anna Roberts.
An American Legion service will be held at 5 p.m., an Elks service at 6 p.m. and a funeral service at 7 p.m. Sunday, Nov.13, at Mahn Twin City Chapel, 515 Collins, in Festus, officiated by Andy Blackscher. A procession will leave the funeral home at 9:30 a.m. Monday, Nov. 14, to a graveside service at 10:30 a.m. at the National Cemetery at Jefferson Barracks. Arrangements are under the direction of Mahn Twin City Chapel.