From ROSS_COATES Families (Includes Anderson/Johnson)

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OBITUARY
Ruth Allison Coates
She was born in Mt. Carmel, IL on May 18, 1915. She died April 27, 2003 in

Indianapolis, IN at age 87. Ruth Allison Coates was a poet and writer of

distinction, having had one juvenile book published, "Great American Naturalists,"

and two books of poetry, "Waiting For the Westbound" in 1992 and "Walking Towards

Eternity," in 2003. The second book was enhanced by a printed personal message by

poet, Carl Sandburg, with whom Ruth hhad been friends for many years.

Ruth Allison Coates had won numerous awards for both her poetry and fiction. Some

of her peotry appeared in anthologies. She had been puyblished by "Teen Magazine, Boys' Life, The Minnesota Review" and numerous other literary magazines, and by "Rand McNally." She had been a writers' workshop leader at Ball State and McKendree College.

She attended Bethel Woman's College, Hopkisville, KY where she was editor and illustrator of the college yearbook. She graduated from Indiana University in 1935, with an AB in English.

Ruth Allison Coates was also an artist, having been a commercial artist at Ayeres and Block's and for a brief while, during World War II in San Antonio, Texas. She exhibited fine art, both oils and water colors at "The Hoosier Salon."

Ruth Allison Coates was listed in the "Directory of American Poets ad Fiction Writers. Who's Who in Poetry and Poets' Encyclopedia, Eight Edition, and the Contemporary Biography-Women." She was a member of "The Poetry Society of America."

For many years Ruth Allison Coates was a member of St. Andew's Lutheran Church in Speedway. More recently she belonged to Pleasant View Lutheran Church. She was the wido of Indianapolis atorney, Robert E. Coates. They had four children, Margaret Hill, Santa Fe, N.M., Nancy Loker, Camby, IN and Steven Coates, Indianapolis, IN. There are five grandchildren; and one great grandchild.

Services will be at 11:30 a.m. Thursday, May 1 at Pleasant View Lutheran Church, with visitation from 3 to 8 pm. Wednesday, April 30 at Conkle Funeral Home, Speedway Chapel. Burial will be at Crown Hill Cemetery.