James E. Coleman, age 103 of Janesville, IL, entered his Heavenly Home on Sunday, May 15, 2016 while at his Casey Health Care Center home. Visitation for family and friends will be held Thursday, May 19, 2016 from 10:00 – 11:00 a.m. at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston. Funeral Services honoring and celebrating his life will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday at the funeral chapel with Retired Minister Tom Marsh officiating. Burial will follow in the Janesville Cemetery located northwest of Janesville. It is requested that thoughtful donations in his honor be made to a church or charity of the donor’s preference. Gifts may be left during the visitation or service or may be mailed to Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Dr., Charleston, IL 61920.
James was born June 2, 1912 in Trilla, IL to the late Elmer and Emma (Kingery) Coleman. He married Gertrude Best on October 27, 1934 and they celebrated 74 years of marriage prior to her death on January 21, 2009. Left to cherish his memory are three children, James Coleman, Jr. (and his special friend Shirley Johnston) of Ft. Wayne, IN, Carrol Coleman and wife Barbara of Casey, IL and Peggy Ryan and husband Kent of Toledo, IL; a daughter-in-law, Marilyn Coleman of Lerna, IL; 10 grandchildren, Theresa (Scott) Daniel of Effingham, IL, Julie Coleman of Mesa, AZ, Tina Williamson of Angola, IN, Michelle Needham of Tenina, WA, Allison (Lonnie) Perkins and Kenneth (Sonya) Coleman, of Olympia, WA; Connie (Darrel) Lang of Ashmore, IL, Cindy (Phil) McKinney of Charleston, Vicki (Tom) Gamma of St. Louis, MO, Denny (Betsy) Ryan of Greenup, IL; 18 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews and their families. In addition to his parents and wife, James was preceded in death by a son, Ronald Coleman; 2 brothers; a sister; and a great-granddaughter.
Jim left school when he was in the fifth grade in order to help on the family farm. He later worked for Donald Atwell and Willie Gannaway for a $1 a day. He left the farm and went to work at the Lerna Elevator until it sold and then accepted a position with the State of Illinois Dept. of Transportation (IDOT) until his retirement. Jim worked hard all his life, and his hobbies of gardening and mowing his lawn, might be considered work by many. On June 2, James would have turned 104, a milestone that is shared by few.
James’s memorial website is available at www.adamsfuneralchapel.com where condolences may be sent to the family by clicking on obituaries.
