Deborah Ann Coleman

Deborah A. Coleman (nee Northcutt), 72, of Swansea, IL passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025 after a brief illness. She was preceded in death by her parents, Roy and Irene Northcutt; her husband, Geno Coleman; her sister, Judy (the late Irvin) Shull; and a nephew, Randy Rickert.

She is survived by her brother, Roy D. (Bernice) Northcutt; nephews Roy (Camalene) Northcutt and Jeffrey (Sara) Northcutt; great nieces Grace Anne Northcutt, Cristina Northcutt and Gabriella Northcutt; great nephew, Brenden Northcutt; niece Tammy Shull Morehead, great niece Nicole Moorehead (Caleb) Miller; great-great niece, Harper Miller, great-great nephew Vincent Miller; many cousins and many friends; and her most beloved dog Penny.

Debbie graduated BTHS West in 1971 and went to work for Nooter Corporation in St. Louis MO. She was a Supervisor of Mailroom Personnel & did various clerical duties during her 26 years at Nooter. When Nooter downsized, Debbie left her job there and went to work at First American Title Co. in Edwardsville IL where she worked as an Entry Clerk for 3 years. She went on to work as a Sales Clerk at Tharp’s Western Store in Belleville for 2 years and thoroughly enjoyed that position. Her nickname as “Cowboy Chic” definitely fit her personality and lifestyle. Her final full-time job was with Empire Comfort Systems in Belleville, first working a clerical position and then on to be a Parts Department Associate. She retired in 2018 and took a part-time job with Ace Hardware where she continued working until one week before her death.

Debbie had a happy life and was involved in many activities over the years. She was a big fan of the Drum & Bugle Corps and was active in the Gabrielites, the Bellettes, the Cruisaders and the Black Nights. She loved participating as a Trumpet Soprano Bugler and later in the Color Guard. Debbie was involved from about age fourteen to age twenty-one and enjoyed every minute of it. They traveled all over participating in competitions. The camaraderie of her friends in the Corps meant so much to Debbie. She tried to attend as many of the annual reunions she could to see her old friends.

Debbie also was a softball player and spent several years on a women’s team as a Pitcher.

Debbie went on to marry Geno Coleman and they began their life together enjoying horseback riding and found many friends to share their common interest. They had four horses on their country property and loved traveling to their camper in southern Illinois to ride as often as they could with all their fellow horse lovers. Life was good.

After Debbie retired, she immediately started a part time job at Ace Hardware in Freeburg IL. The extra money was of course helpful but more than that she enjoyed being around people and socialized with customers and co-workers alike. Debbie made many friends throughout her lifetime and will be missed by her family as well as many other people who loved her.

In accordance with Deborah’s wishes, she was cremated and buried in the Cremation Garden by the Lake at Valhalla-Gaerdner-Holten Gardens of Memory Cemetery. A celebration of her life will be held at a later date. Please sign her guestbook and share fond memories at:

www.valhallagardensandfuneralhome.com.