James 'Jim' E. Coleman
August 1, 1937 ~ February 20, 2025
Born in:
Greenville, Illinois
Resided in:
Greenville, Illinois
James ‘Jim’ E. Coleman, 87, of Greenville, Illinois passed away on Thursday, February 20, 2025, at HSHS St. Joseph’s Hospital in Highland.
Born on August 1, 1937, to Clarence R. and Bertha Sue (Barnhart) Coleman in Greenville, Illinois. Jim attended Greenville school in his youth. In childhood, he had fallen ill with Polio and spent a year at home where he honed his cooking skills alongside his mother. He returned to school the following year and went on to graduate in 1956 from Greenville High School. From high school Jim went on to serve in the United States Air Force. After returning from the service, he married Delores Korte on October 4, 1958. She preceded him in death August 18, 1967. He went on to dedicate over 30 years of service as a telephone communication installer with companies including AT&T, Lucent Technology, Western Electric and Emerson Electric.
Jim found joy in spending time with his children and beloved, Nell M. Thacker, who he spent 52 plus years of his life with. Beyond his dedication to his family Jim also found great joy in spending time in the great outdoors. He spent countless hours hunting, fishing, boating and tending to his garden and farmland. Jim was also well known for his cooking skills, specifically his fried fish. For over 20 winters, Jim and Nell made Brownsville, Texas, their seasonal retreat, sharing unforgettable travels and adventures together.
Preceding him in death are his parents, Clarence and Bertha; wife, Delores; brother, Clarence ‘Shad’ R. Coleman, Jr.; half-brother, Cleo Schnaare; half-sister, Marie Stallard.
Surviving Jim are his children, Sandra K. (Doug) Garmer of Columbia, Illinois, and son, Robert ‘Bob’ K. (Nancy) Coleman of Highland, Illinois; bonus children, Jan (Roger) Schrage and Julie (Christian) Caniff; grandchildren, Cheyanne (John) Wheat of Highland, Illinois, Ciara (Bryn) Rueter of Carlyle, Illinois, Sarah (Jared) Garmer and Jamison ‘Jamie’ (Joe) Garmer, all of St. Louis, Missouri; bonus grandchildren, Chad (Christina) Schrage of Atlanta, Georgia, Morgan (Bradley) Schrage of Chicago, Illinois, Ami (Brandon) Gruenenfelder of St. Peters, Missouri, Mallory (Mike) Caniff of Collinsville, Illinois; great-grandchildren, Malcolm and Myla Wheat, and Cayden Rueter; bonus great grandchildren, Oscar and Max Gruenenfelder; several nieces and nephews.
Visitation: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, February 26, 2025, at Assalley Funeral Home, 118 E. College Avenue, Greenville, Illinois, 62246.
Funeral: 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, following the visitation service. Rev. Dee Armes will be officiating.
Interment: Burial will follow the funeral service and will be held at Mt. Auburn cemetery in Greenville.
Memorials: May be made to a charity of the donor’s choice.
The family has entrusted Assalley Funeral Homes with the ceremonies.
Please visit www.assalleyfuneralhomes.com to share memories or to offer condolences to the family.
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Love, Bruce, Alicia Crutcher andAshley and Paul Utley.
Mary(Sparlin) and Dennis Green
To My friends Bob and Nancy and family , also your sister and her family my heart feels the emptiness you will notice after all of this service is over. I’m sure your dedication of you all have memories to laugh about the when certain times come around, but just embrace your love and devotion you shared. Gods blessings to everyone,
Nell, Sandy, Bob, Jan and Julie and families, I am so sorry to ready of Jim’s passing. He was a great guy, and I know he will be missed.
My deepest condolences to you, Nell and the Coleman family. Jim and you were the best neighbors I could have had I read his obituary and didn’t realize Jim and I shared some things during our lives. Three months apart in our birthdays. He married his wife on my birthday. We had polio at the same age, but I was lucky that I could continue my high school education through lessons sent to the hospital. We both enjoyed fishing, him more than me, He worked for AT&T as did my Frank. I know you will miss him. Much love.
Thinking of you Bob, and your family as you celebrate your dad’s life. May many happy memories comfort you in the days ahead!
Bob, Nancy, Sandy, Nell, Jan, Julie and families. Our sincere condolences to all y’all. Growing up, I spent many times hanging out with Bob and his family. Jim used to take us to the farm, or we would be hanging out with Bertha and Chad at their home. Thankful for all the good memories! He was a great man in my eyes. He will be missed by many! R.I.P. Jim
So very sorry for your loss! You are all in my thoughts and prayers!
So sad to hear of the passing of Jim. Sorry for your loss, Nell, and all the family. We were classmates and friends through grade school and high school. Jim and Nell always came to our Class of 56 reunions. Jim was one of the good guys, always kind and thoughtful of everyone. I remember when he worked for one of the milk home delivery companies in Greenville and helped deliver milk to homes. Early in the morning I would hear the clank of the bottles on the front porch and then I knew Jim was out there in the cold or heat – delivering fresh milk before school. Thanks for the memories, Jim… Rest in peace