Charles H. Coulson

Charles H. Coulson age 90 a resident of Austinburg, Ohio passed away Tuesday, September 4, 2007 at his home. Born April 26, 1917 in Buckner, Illinois. He married Genevieve Bell on April 28, 1938. Charles taught Junior High in Southern Illinois for four years. After teaching, he resigned and went into retailing with the John Irving Shoe Company, out of Boston, MA; first serving as a Manager, then later District Manager and Regional Manager; he worked for John Irving for 20 years. During World War II, Charles volunteered and joined the U.S. Navy and served as a Radarman; he served on the USS Beckham (APA-133) in the South Pacific. Charles had a lifelong love of flying and airplanes. After WWII, he learned to fly in a private flying school and enjoyed many years as an active pilot. In Joliet, IL he was active in the Civil Air Patrol. After John Irving, he accepted a job with Kline Brothers Department Stores, out of New York, NY. serving as Personnel Officer and Regional Manager. Later he managed their Department stores in Lorain, Ohio; Salina, Kansas; and Wakefield, Massachusetts. In Lorain, he was on the Board of Directors of Junior Achievement, and served as an advisor to the Cooperative Education Program in the local high schools. In Salina, he was on the Board of the Salvation Army and an officer in the local Merchants Association. In Wakefield, he was First Vice President of the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce. Charles and Genevieve retired in 1980, moving to Geneva, Ohio. Charles could not stay retired for long; he quickly began an ?active retirement? working for Horne?s in the Randall Park Mall, and later Carlisles and Higbees/Dillards in Mentor. Finally at the age of 80, he truly retired and began a life as an avid painter of nature and landscapes. He also enjoyed reading and being with his family. He is survived by his wife of 69 years, Genevieve; three children: Genevieve (Bill) Fleischman of Greensboro, NC; Charles E. (Nancy) of Concord, Ohio; and James Coulson of Chicago, IL; Two grandchildren: Charles D. (Michelle) Overstreet of Nashville, Tenn and David Overstreet of Wakefield, England. Two great granddaughters, Jordan and Katherine Overstreet. Friends will be received 12-2:00 pm, Friday, September 7th at The Behm Family Funeral Homes & Crematory, 175 S. Broadway, Geneva, Ohio A Private Family Graveside Service will be held at Mechanicsville Cemetery in Austinburg Township In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to UHHS Memorial Hospital of Geneva Auxiliary, 870 W. Main Street, Geneva, Ohio 44041.