3-02-2023 7:03am

Laurray Coots was waitress at Buffa’s Supper Club and Wagon Wheel

Michael McGinnis Editor

Laurray Coots (1939-2023)

Laurray H. Coots, 83, of South Beloit, IL, was formerly employed as a waitress for several restaurants in the area including the old Holiday Inn, Buffa’s Supper Club, the Wagon Wheel, and Saladino’s Supper Club. She was an active member of Faith Lutheran Church, a big collector of Watt pottery and Monarch tins. She also loved antique furniture, going to craft shows such as Fall Diddley and Beloit Auctions.

She died on Sunday, February 26, 2023 at Beloit Memorial Hospital.

Laurray was born on June 13, 1939 in Augusta, WI, the daughter of Arthur and Ruby (Loman) Kuehl. She married John Coots on September 16, 1961 in Faith Lutheran Church, South Beloit, IL. Laurray was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt.

Survivors include her husband, John Coots; son, Craig (Laura) Coots; grandsons, Jeremy and Christopher Coots; brother, Jon (Pat) Kuehl; many nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her parents, brother Mike Kuehl, and sister Sharon.

A memorial service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 3, 2023 in Faith Lutheran Church, 1305 Blackhawk Blvd., South Beloit, IL, with Pastor JoAnna Patterson officiating. A visitation of remembrance will be from 9:00 a.m. until the time of service Friday in the church. Daley Murphy Wisch & Associates Funeral Home and Crematorium, 2355 Cranston Rd., Beloit, WI, assisted the family with arrangements.

Saladino’s New Playdium, a supper club, was located at 302 South Park Avenue in South Beloit, Illinois. Steve Saladino tried to open a tavern in the mid-1950s but his liquor license was denied at the time. A later application apparently succeeded. On a postcard printed before 1975, the owners called it, "Colorful dining room and cocktail lounge, just south of the Wisconsin State Line and just west of U.S. 51 and Interstate 1-90, with special offerings of the real Italian dishes. For reservations call 389-3731 Area Code 815. Steve and Sally Saladino, your hosts." Stephen Saladino died July 19, 1979. The location is now the home of Pho Thanh Thu, a Vietnamese restaurant.