Oldest living WWI Vet dies -- in Toledo area

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071221/ap_on_re_us/obit_coffey

"TOLEDO, Ohio - J. Russell Coffey, the oldest known surviving U.S. veteran of World War I, has died. The retired teacher, one of only three U.S. veterans from the "war to end all wars," was 109.

Coffey died Thursday at the Briar Hill Health Campus in North Baltimore, where he had lived for the past four or five years, said Gaye Boggs, nursing director at the nursing home. No cause of death has been determined, she said Friday. His health began failing in October."

According to the story, he taught at BGSU.

Though his military and seemingly life-long service (including as teacher) are to be commended -- as others in similar roles -- it's interesting that he was considered a WWI veteran even though he was never in combat. (Was in basic training when the war ended, per the story.)

Mike