Kevin Coleman

1951 - 2021

Coleman, Kevin

FITCHBURG - Kevin Coleman died of complications from frontotemporal lobe dementia on Aug. 13, 2021, during the Perseid meteor shower. He was born in Appleton on Feb. 12, 1951, and graduated from Kaukauna High School in 1968. A UW-Madison graduate, he looked back with fondness on the Madison riots during the '60s. He stayed in the Madison area and was the proud owner of his own wallpapering and painting business.

Kevin was a gentle, unpretentious man not driven by material wealth. He enjoyed hiking, which he referred to as "pastoral frolics," particularly in Durward's Glen, Pewits Nest, Ferry Bluff, Parfrey's Glen, and Dr. Evermor's Park. He had a fondness for Kromer caps, camping, cooking, and a good IPA. He preferred a Gazetteer to GPS, cats to dogs, and Wisconsin rustic roads to freeways.

Kevin was preceded in death by his parents, Harold and Margaret; and his siblings, Pat, Mary Sue, Bob, and Maggie.

He is survived by Rose Welhouse; his two siblings, Keith (Patty) and Kathy (Loren) Sendek; sisters-in-law, Carla (Bob) Coleman and Sherry (Pat) Coleman; and brother-in-law, Steve Huser (Mary Sue). In addition, he is survived by his nieces and nephews, Tracy, Todd, Brian, Ian, Anna, Laura, Ryland, Aaron, Jordan, Izzy, Natalee, Belle, and Henry.

Kevin's final contribution was participating in a study of the mutated GRN (progranulin) gene which he inherited. He hoped to help eradicate other families' suffering from this disease.

Special thanks to his caregivers at Libby's House of Chilton, Lakeland Care District team, Calumet County Health and Human Services, Heartland Hospice, and Cyndi D., Mary W., and Yvonne S.

Any memorial donations may be made to AFTD.org (Association for Frontotemporal Dementia) or the State of Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Kevin told Rose he'd like a party to celebrate his life instead of a funeral. This will happen at a later date.

For someone who thought of himself as a loner, he sure had a lot of friends. Memories can be shared at O'Connell Funeral Home: https://www.oconnellfh.com/.

Kev: When we first met, I was the one who was always getting lost. You would lead me as far as the beltline and wave me off, never making me feel foolish. In time, with your guidance, I became the navigator, leading you when YOU were in need. In our final reversal of roles, I sent you off with one last Coleman wave. Love, Rosie

O'CONNELL

FUNERAL HOME

1776 E. Main Street

Little Chute 920-788-6237