Robert J. Coleman

Robert J. Coleman, 82, of Springfield, died at 12:40 p.m. Tuesday, October 25, 2005 at the Illinois Veterans’ Home at Quincy. Robert was born on August 30, 1923 in Scott County, IL the son of Irish Immigrant Michael and Kathryn Ann Lockhart Coleman. He married Mary Lou Horton on January 3, 1948 at St. Bartholomew in Murrayville, IL. Mr. Coleman was employed by the State of Illinois Department of Mental Health; he retired as Chief Mechanical Engineer in December of 1982 after 35 years of service. He was a veteran of the Army Air Force serving during WWII with the 861st Bombardment Squadron stationed in England. He was a member of Knights of Columbus Council 868 of Jacksonville and a lifemember of Elk’s Lodge 158. He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers: John, Leo, George, Cletus, and Charles Coleman and six sisters: Ellen McGuire Rank, Mary Carson, Cecelia Doyle, Margaret Coleman, Irene Baptiste and Mildred Beckman. He is survived by his wife: Mary Lou Coleman of Chatham; one son: Larry J. (wife, Carol) Coleman of Glenarm; two daughters: Janet Coleman of Chatham, Karen “K.C.” (husband, Joseph) Hinkle of Lincoln; eleven grandchildren; one sister: Louise Benhart of East Moline, and several nieces, nephews and cousins. Family will receive friends from 3:00 – 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 30, 2005 at Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 3:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. Monday, October 31, 2005 at St. Agnes Catholic Church, 245 N. Amos, Springfield with Rev. Mark Schulte celebrant. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where the Interveterans Burial Detail of Sangamon County will conduct military honors. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer’s Association Greater Illinois Chapter, Springfield Office, 6 Drawbridge Rd., Suite 4, Springfield, IL 62704 or the Illinois Veterans Home, 1707 N. 12th St., Quincy, IL 62301. The family of Robert J. Coleman is being served by Kirlin-Egan & Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield.