New Ko-Op Cafe Opens - September 17, 1961

Coe, Nancy (Sept. 27, 1961). “Walt Warmoth Opens New Restaurant; Enters 21st Year of Business in the City.” Daily Eastern News, p.10.

http://thekeep.eiu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1001&context=den_1961_sep

A cigarette and a cup of coffee are the trademarks of a man who can usually be seen leaning against the cash register at Walt’s Cafe - Walt Warmoth.

Walt had been in business for some 20 years at two locations near the campus. His restaurants have been favorite gathering places for students and faculty alike.

Warmoth’s latest venture, the Ko-Op Cafe, opened Sept. 17, on the location previously occupied by the original Ko-Op.

The old Ko-Op, Walt’s first restaurant, was erected on Lincoln St., just east of Seventh, in March, 1940. It served students until 1959, when construction of Route 17 (State Hwy 16) resulted in the condemnation of the building.

Warmoth then started Walt’s Cafe, often called the “Open,” on the corner of Fourth and Lincoln. The new Ko-Op was open for business only six weeks after his August decision to re-build the cafe.

“Things have started off real well at the Ko-Op,” said Walt. ”It’s a good traffic corner.”

Under the direction of Larry Mizener, who has been with Walt as manager since 1952, the Ko-Op will operate much the same as Walt’s. Both restaurants function entirely with student help consisting of some 30 men.

“Many of the guys who have worked for me in the past have tremendously good jobs now?, Walt said. “Some have even opened their own restaurants.”

Howard Skidmore, flight-service commander to the carrier that picked up astronaut Alan Shepard after his space flight, worked for Warmoth during his college career. “Skidmore is a good man,” Walt said. “Recently, he sent me pictures of the pick-up. It was really something.”

Walt commented that he never seemed to have many big problems with his businesses. “I suppose I could find some if I really looked, but I just enjoy the work,” he said.

A sports enthusiast and Panther fan, Walt attends most of Eastern’s games, as he said “according to season.”

Walt attended Eastern in 1935 and 1937. He then entered the University of Illinois medical school. When asked just why he left the university, he replied, “I decided that hamburgers smelled better than formaldehyde.”

Linda Warmoth. July 26, 1950 - April 4, 2016

My career path intersected briefly with Linda's (Daughter of Walt and Donna Warmoth) during the early 1980s. As an officer in a state organization, I worked with her in planning a conference in Springfield. She was an excellent facilitator. During our meetings, we reminisced about Charleston, her parents, and Walt's Cafe. Her younger brother, William is an attorney in Charleston, Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD -- Linda R. Warmoth-Shelton, 65, of Rochester, died at 12:16 a.m. on Monday, April 4, 2016 at Memorial Medical Center.

Linda was born July 26, 1950 in Charleston, the daughter of Walter E. and Donna L. Smith Warmoth. She married Michael Shelton in 1992 in Charleston.

Linda was a graduate of Charleston High School and Eastern Illinois University. She worked for the Capital City Speakers Bureau. Linda was the Sales and Catering Director at the Holiday Inn East and retired as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at the Crowne Plaza. She received numerous awards, including YMCA Woman of the Year and National Sales and Marketing Director of the Year of Crowne Plaza Hotels. Linda was a member of the Junior League and volunteered for the Ronald McDonald House. She was on the hospitality advisory board at Eastern Illinois University. Linda was a social butterfly and very personable; she will be greatly missed by many.

She was preceded in death by her parents.

She is survived by her husband, Michael Shelton of Rochester; her step-sons, Alan Shelton (Tracy Dobbins) of Springfield, Tony (Amy) Shelton of Bakersfield, and Matthew (Julie) Shelton of Rochester; four grandchildren, Tyler, Ashley, Clayton, and Everett Shelton; one brother, William J. (Barbara J.) Warmoth of Charleston; one nephew, Brian W. (Joohyun Lyoo) Warmoth of Washington, DC; and her beloved dog, Lucy.

Memorial Ceremony and Gathering: A memorial ceremony will be held at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at Crowne Plaza, 3000 S. Dirksen Parkway, Springfield, with Dr. Paul E. Boatman officiating. A memorial gathering will follow until 5:00 p.m.

In life, Linda gave unconditionally with her time and talents. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions be made to the Linda Warmoth-Shelton Memorial Fund, c/o Rochester State Bank, PO Box 140, Rochester, IL 62563.