Coffield, Elmond LeMoyne

Elmond LeMoyne Coffield (1923 - 2011)

OCCUPATION: Physician

RESIDENCES: New Martinsville, WV

OBITUARY:
Elmond LeMoyne Coffield, M.D., 87, died on February 10, 2011, surrounded by his loving family and in the caring hands of the staff and professionals at Wetzel County Hospital, where he cared for his patients for 48 years.

Dr. Coffield was born on November 19, 1923, on Coffield Ridge in Wetzel County, West Virginia. He was the son of Susan Austie (Yoho) Coffield and Albert Lee Coffield, M.D. and the brother of Olan Terrell Coffield, M.D. He married Colleen Frost (Harris) Coffield of Bannock, Ohio on October 22, 1950.

Dr. Coffield graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from West Virginia University in 1943, a Bachelor of Science from West Virginia University Medical School in 1945, and a Medical Doctorate from the Medical College of Virginia in 1947. He did his medical and anesthesia residency at Ohio Valley General Hospital from 1947-1950.

Dr. Coffield joined his brother, Dr. Terrell Coffield, and began practicing family medicine in New Martinsville on July 1, 1950. Dr. Coffield, his brother, and their father Dr. Albert Lee Coffield provided health care to generations of Wetzel County families. It is estimated that Dr. Coffield and his brother delivered over 4,000 babies during the 30 years they offered obstetrical services as a part of their family practice. Dr. Coffield and his brother were health care innovators by adding a medical office pharmacy and the first drive through pharmacy service in conjunction with Harman’s Drug Store. He provided occupational medicine and served as the first plant physician at the New Martinsville Bayer facility (Mobay Chemical) from 1955-1998.

Dr. Coffield was inducted into the United States Army on December 18, 1943, and reported to duty at West Virginia University in the Army Specialized Training Program which trained physicians for military service. He was transferred to the Medical College of Virginia and was discharged on March 23, 1946. During the Korean War, Dr. Coffield served in the United States Army Medical Corp as a First Lieutenant and was stationed at Fort Bragg Army Hospital and Fort Knox Army Hospital from 1951-1953 where he served as an anesthesiologist.

Dr. Coffield is survived by his five children, Jennifer Coffield Tobin (Thomas J. Tobin), Rebecca Coffield Moore (Charles Thomas Moore, Jr.), Melinda Coffield Herrick, Colette Coffield Goddard (Aaron Goddard), and Robert LeMoyne Coffield (Susanne M. Coffield). He loved his twelve grandchildren: Chad Tobin, Dylan Tobin, Spencer Tobin, Thomas Moore, Evan Moore, Whitney Herrick Bacalman, Paul Herrick, Maggie Herrick, Taylor Goddard, Sean Goddard, Daniel Coffield, and Rachel Coffield. He also loved Goldie, his loyal yellow lab. He is further survived by many nieces, nephews, other Coffield and Harris relatives, neighbors, and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by the love of his life, Colleen Frost (Harris) Coffield, who died on July 14, 1978.

Dr. Coffield was a member of the First Christian Church and one of the founding members of the Wetzel County Historical Society Museum. As a member of the Court Restaurant “lunch bunch,” Dr. Coffield was a wonderful storyteller and Wetzel County historian.

Visitation will be held at Grisell Funeral Home in New Martinsville on Saturday, February 12, 2011, from 6pm to 8pm and Sunday, February 13, 2011, from 12am to 3pm and 6pm to 9pm. His funeral service will be held Monday, February 14, 2011, at 11am at First Christian Church in New Martinsville, followed by internment at Greenlawn Memorial Park.

A special thanks to his caregivers and the staff at Journey Hospice. Memorial donations may be made to Wetzel County Hospital, First Christian Church, Journey Hospice, or a charity of your choice.
(Source: New Martinsville, WV newpaper)