John Coffelt, Editor

The Manchester Street Committee approved during the Dec. 11 meeting to name the new sidewalk on Hills Chapel Road “Wehofer Walk” to memorialize avid walkers Sam and Lois Wehofer who used the route for years. 

Members of the Coffee County High School class of 1977 and the children of the Wehofers brought the request before the committee.

Susan Yother estimated that the Wehofers walked over 49,536 miles along Hills Chapel Road in the 43 years they lived in Manchester.

“Sam and Lois Wehofers moved here in 1959,” Yother said. “One thing I remember growing up, when you drive down Hills Chapel, you would see the Wehofers walking.”

Yother said the couple walked daily from their home on Rogers Drive to Highway 41 regardless of the weather.

“I remember growing up…seeing them and thinking they are going to get run over,” Yother said.

Sam passed away in 2016, and Lois passed away earlier this year. The couple was married for 60 years until Sam’s passing. They lived in Manchester for nearly 50 years until moving to Kingston, Tennessee in 2005, and then later, to Murfreesboro.

The sidewalk along Hills Chapel is part of what is called one of the biggest sidewalk initiatives the city has started.

Vice Mayor Mark Messick said, “If you can’t help people, there ain’t no reason to be here. That’s what we’re here for.”

Street Department Director George Gannon said the sidewalk will go to Indian Springs Road.

John has been with the Manchester Times since May 2011. John has won Tennessee Press Association awards for Best News Photo and placed in numerous other categories. John is a 1994 graduate of Tullahoma High School, a graduate of Motlow State Community College and earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Middle Tennessee State University. He lives in Tullahoma, enjoys painting, dancing and exploring the outdoors.