Mr. Joseph William Coleman Sr.

Joseph William "Joe" Coleman, Sr., age 75, of Seven Hills, Ohio, passed away peacefully on Saturday morning, October 9, 2010 at the Seasons of Life Residential Hospice in Parma, Ohio, following a courageous battle with Lewy Body dementia. Mr. Coleman was born March 31, 1935 in Youngstown, Ohio to Herman Warren Coleman and Blanche Elizabeth (nee Scanlon) Coleman and was their only child. Joe graduated from Parma Schaaf High School in 1953 and was inducted into the Parma Alumni High School Hall of Fame. He served in the United States Air Force Reserve and the Ohio Air National Guard from 1953 to 1961. He furthered his education attending Baldwin Wallace College in Berea, Ohio, Fenn College and the Cooper School of Art in Cleveland, Ohio. Joe enjoyed a 42 year career at the Ohio Bell Telephone Company that began as a utility lineman and worked his way up to the position of District Manager of Publishing and Sales. After retirement, Joe served for 2 years as the Bailiff for Judge Mary Dunning at the Parma Justice Center. Joe volunteered his services and proudly served as board member of the Telephone Credit Union (Taleris) for 45 years, serving as Board Chairman for 36 years. He was instrumental in securing the new location of Taleris Credit Union in Seven Hills on Broadview Road that opened in 2006. He also served Seven Hills as a City Councilman in Ward 2 from 1982 to 1986 and was a Seven Hills Auxiliary Policeman and helped with the coordination of Seven Hills Home Days for many years. A longtime and dedicated member of the Parma Community General Hospital Board of Trustees in which he served for 20 years, he presided as Chairman of their Board of Trustees for 14 years. Surviving Joe is his high school sweetheart and beloved Wife of 54 years Marilyn A. Coleman (nee Marquette); his Children Debra Cesaratto (John) of Seven Hills, Ohio, Susan Pringle (Rob) of Sagamore Hills, Ohio, Joseph Coleman, Jr. (Cheryl) of Kirtland, Ohio, Colleen Karaffa (Jim) of Parma, Ohio and Patrick Coleman (Penny) of Independence, Ohio; he was the devoted and dearly loved "Papa" of Johnny, Matthew, Amy, Seth and Allie Pringle, Julia and Joseph Coleman, Michael, Kaitlyn and Jenna Karaffa, and Shannon and Sarah Coleman; and his Sister In Law Linda Kriegel (Chuck) of West Carrollton, Ohio, and his many loved Cousins and Friends. The Coleman Family will receive Friends at the BUSCH FUNERAL HOME, 7501 Ridge Road, Parma, Ohio, for a memorial visitation from 2 to 4 P.M. and 7 to 9 P.M. on Thursday, October 14, 2010. Prayer services will be held Friday, October 15, 2010 at 9:15 A.M. at the BUSCH FUNERAL HOME and will be followed by Mass of Resurrection at 10:00 A.M. at the Church of St. Matthias the Apostle, 1200 West Sprague Road, Parma, Ohio. Rev. Raymond A. Sutter, Pastor of St. Matthias, will celebrate Joe's Funeral Mass. Inurnment will follow at the Ridge Cemetery on State Route 303 at State Road in Hinckley Township, Ohio. Although flowers are appreciated, the Coleman Family prefers memorial contributions in Joe's name be forwarded to Seasons of Life Hospice or to the Parma Hospital ElderCenter, 7007 Powers Blvd., Parma, Ohio 44129.