Richard E. Coleman

Richard Coleman

Richard Eugene "Gene" Coleman, 70, of Marissa, Ill., died Monday, Sept. 12, 2011, surrounded by his loving family.

Gene was a faithful husband, a great "Dad" and "Paw Paw", and a master of one-liners, which will always be remembered as "Geneisms". "It doesn't bither me a bot!" and "Slicker than snot!" are just two examples. He always had a funny face for a child and couldn't go anywhere without running into a friend.

He was born on March 31, 1941, in West Frankfort, Ill., where he was raised. He graduated from high school in the class of 1959 and earned his bachelor's degree from McKendree College in 1970.

Gene went on to teach school children health, physical education, and drivers education for the next 36 years. He taught at Dahlgren High, Coulterville High, Marissa Elementary and Marissa Junior/Senior High School. He also had a successful career coaching basketball, baseball and softball to many students. He led his teams to multiple state tournament appearances and two state championships.

Geno, as he was often called, enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, playing cards on Thursday nights and taking Susan, his wife of 44 years, for rides in his Corvette. He was an avid sports fan who always had the game on TV and loved to cheer on, and sometimes shout at, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Fighting Illini. He was also an associate member of the American Legion in Marissa.

He was preceded in death by his parents, John and Lucille, nee Britton, Coleman; his sister, Debbie Lynn; his brother-in-law, Lowell Finn; and great-niece, Karcynn Clark, all of West Frankfort, Ill.

Surviving are his wife, Susan, nee Green, Coleman, and their children, Jeff and his wife Linda and their daughter Jacie of Benton, Ill., Jody of St. Louis, Mo., and Justin and his wife Kristina of St. Louis, Mo.; his sister, Donna Finn of Benton, Ill.; his brothers-in-law and their wives, Terry and Tammy Green of West Frankfort, Ill., Kim and Mary Ann Green of Shreveport, La., and David and Sharon Green of Edwardsville, Ill.; his nieces, Lindsey Clark and her husband Jarvis and Ashley and Hannah Green; and nephews, Matthew and Thomas Green.

A special thanks to our wonderful friends for all their support and for being like family for so many years.

People may say their final good-byes at the place where most met him, his school gym.

Memorials may be made to support a Gene Coleman Athletic Award, which will be given to Marissa athletes of outstanding character.

Visitation: Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday, Sept. 16, 2011, at the Heil-Schuessler Funeral Home in Marissa, Ill.

Visitation also from 9 to 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, at the Marissa Elementary School gymnasium in Marissa, Ill.



Funeral: A celebration of life will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 17, 2011, in "Geno's Gym" at the Marissa Elementary School gymnasium in Marissa, Ill., with Rev. Donald Wagner officiating. Burial will be held at the Marissa Township Cemetery in Marissa, Ill.



HEIL-SCHUESSLER

FUNERAL HOMES,

Marissa, Ill.