James E. Coleman

SUN CITY, AZ – James E. Coleman, Jr., age 84 of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, died Saturday, February 20, 2021 in Sun City, Arizona.  A Memorial Service, honoring and celebrating his life will be held at 1:00 p.m. on Friday, March 19, 2021 at Adams Funeral Chapel in Charleston with Pastor Travis Spencer officiating.  Inurnment will follow at Janesville, Cemetery.  Visitation will be held for one hour prior to the memorial service.  Memorials in his honor may be made to Riley Hospital for Children in Indianapolis or to a local animal shelter.  Gifts may be left at the visitation/service or mailed in care of Adams Funeral Chapel, 2330 Shawnee Drive, Charleston, IL  61920.

Jim was born November 13, 1936 in Coles County, Illinois, a son of the late Gertrude (Best) and James E. Coleman, Sr.  He was a 1954 graduate of Charleston High School and started his lifelong career with the Nickel Plate Railroad.  He then went on to work for Norfolk & Western/Norfolk Southern Railways.  In 1958 he married his high school sweetheart, Judith A. Campbell.  She preceded him in death in 2007 following 48 years of marriage.  Jim retired from Norfolk Southern Railway in 1997 as a train dispatcher.

Jim loved keeping his yard meticulously groomed and decorating it for each holiday season, tinkering on his 1972 MG Midget, spending time with family and friends, and travel.  He looked forward to gathering monthly with fellow railroad retirees for breakfast and fellowship.

Surviving is his daughter, Tina M. Williamson of Angola, Indiana and granddaughter, Ashley M. Williamson of Greensburg, Indiana; his sister Peggy (Coleman) Ryan of Toledo, Illinois and brother, Carroll Coleman of Casey, Illinois.  In addition to his parents and wife, Jim was preceded in death by a brother, Ronald Coleman of Lerna, Illinois and a special friend, Shirley Johnston of Sun City.

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