Arthur Ray Coffey, 90, Cincinnati

Arthur Ray Coffey, former mayor and civil servant of the Village of Elmwood Place in Cincinnati, Ohio, passed away on Saturday, June 17, 2023.  He was 90 years of age.

Born in Russell Springs, October 17, 1932, the only son of the late Elvin Ray and Eunice Withers Coffey, he was fondly known as “Bud” to his three sisters.  Mr. Coffey honorably served his country in the United States Army.  He and his wife, Nancy, made their home in Elmwood Place, a suburb of Cincinnati, where Mr. Coffey is considered a hometown hero.  He was a twice mayor of Elmwood Place, a former police officer and firefighter, and village councilman.  Mr. Coffey gave his time as an aide and caregiver at the State of Ohio’s Longview Mental Hospital.  He was a member of the Masonic Lodge #576 of Norwood, Ohio.

Mr. Coffey was a huge fan of bluegrass music.  He followed Bill Monroe and his band for years, enjoying following the bluegrass music legend.  He also worked many festivals for the bluegrass great, Dr. Ralph Stanley.  Mr. Coffey loved to explore yard sales for new used treasures.  He enjoyed setting up his own vendors booth for the 127 yard sale for more than 20 years.

The flags fly at half mast today in the Village of Elmwood Place for the Honorable Arthur Ray Coffey.

Survivors include his loving wife, Nancy Hammond Coffey; and “Bud’s” three sisters, Imogene Bolin and Helen “Joyce” Tiller, both of Russell Springs, and Janis Lea (and Delbert) Price, of Hamilton, Ohio.

Funeral services are 12:30 p.m., CST, Saturday, June 24, 2022, at Bernard Funeral Home with Bro. Richie Curtis officiating.  Interment will be in Bethlehem Cemetery, in Royville, with full military honors performed by the Russell County Honor Guard.  Active pallbearers will be Kenneth Wright, William Posey, Kevin Posey, Randy Tiller, Carl Posey and David Reese.  Darren Owens will be an honorary pallbearer.

Visitation will be held after 11:00 a.m., Saturday, at Bernard Funeral Home, until time for Masonic Rites at 12:00 p.m., conducted by the Russell Springs Masonic Lodge #941.

Arrangements for Mr. Arthur Ray Coffey are entrusted to Bernard Funeral Home.  An online guestbook is available at www.bernardfuneralhome.com