RENIE L. COFFELT
1942-2008

Renie Lois Coffelt, age 66 of Lompoc, passed away Friday, May 9, 2008, with her family by her side.

Born April 1, 1942, in Centuria, Wisconsin, Renie was raised in both Centuria and Milltown. She graduated from Unity High School in Milltown, WI, and River Falls University of Wisconsin. She obtained her doctorate degree from Fielding University in Santa Barbara.

Renie moved from Wisconsin to Lompoc in 1964, where she began teaching kindergarten at Vandenberg Elementary School. In 1966, she moved to Los Padres Elementary School where she also taught kindergarten until her retirement in 2005.

Throughout her 41-year career, she served in many leadership capacities including Acting Principal, Teacher in Charge, School Site Council, and Leadership Team. She also provided staff development on many occasions. She was a devoted, truly gifted teacher at all levels, as she was also an instructor at Chapman University beginning in 1985.

Renie was a very generous, humble person. She enjoyed traveling and especially taking her nieces on cruises. Her life was dedicated to family, to her many friends and colleagues, and especially to the children she taught.

She is survived by four sisters, Ruby Tehida, Rosella Pikus (and husband Tony), Romonia Heling (and husband Bob), and Mary Erickson; two brothers, Robert Peach and Russell Peach, a sister-in-law, Shirley Peach, as well as many, many nieces and nephews, and many great nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her parents, Louis and Alice Peach; three sisters, Ruth Thompson, Alice LittleJon, and Linda Kay Peach; and three brothers, Richard Peach, Charles Peach, and Louis Peach, Jr.

A memorial service will take place Wednesday, May 14, 2008, at 2:00 p.m. in the chapel of Starbuck-Lind Mortuary with Pastor John Reil of Peace Lutheran Church officiating. A reception will follow, also at the mortuary.