Reverend Robert J. Coleman

Reverend Father Robert Coleman, age 89, entered eternal life on December 3rd, 2025, surrounded by the love and prayers of his family, friends, and parish community.
Born on September 22, 1936, Fr. Bob grew up in Chicago, IL with a deep sense of faith, service, and adventure. He studied aviation at Lewis University and soon after began a distinguished career in both military and commercial aviation. After his first year with United Airlines, he proudly served his country in the Naval Air Force ultimately as a Lieutenant, then flew professionally with United for over 20 years. Throughout this time, he lived in Honolulu, Los Angeles, and Chicago, all while traveling the world in his beloved Boeing 747 and spending as much time as possible with his sister, Donna, her husband and three daughters. His colleagues remembered him as a calm, capable, and dedicated pilot who inspired confidence in all who flew with him.
Answering a profound call later in life, Fr. Bob entered the Sacred Heart Seminary and was ordained to the priesthood on June 6, 1987. For more than three decades, he joyfully served his parishioners with compassion, humility, and unwavering devotion.
Fr. Bob began his priestly ministry at St. Anne's in Oswego and St. Isidore in Bloomingdale, before being appointed pastor of St. Mary's in Beaverville, Illinois, where he led the parish with warmth and a genuine love for his community. After retiring as pastor, he continued to serve faithfully, assisting at several local parishes including Ascension of Our Lord in Oak Brook Terrace, Christ the King in Lombard, and Visitation Parish in Elmhurst. His gentle presence, thoughtful homilies, and deep sensitivity touched countless lives over the years.
Fr. Bob lived an extraordinary life, achieving two independent dreams: flying and priesthood. While his love for God and the Church always came first, his love for his family was steadfast. His three nieces were privileged to have him officiate their weddings and baptize all of their eight children, but most of all, they embraced him as a constant source of light and faith. Fr. Bob is survived by his brother-in-law George Holas; nieces Nancy (Neil) Dian, Denise (Todd) Zagurski, and Paula (Doug) Ford; his great nieces and nephews Amanda, Alyssa, Nicolas, Dominic, Alexis, Lucas, Brooklyn and Madeline; along with the many parishioners, friends, and communities who were blessed by his ministry. He is preceded in death by his parents the late Desmond and Mary Coleman, nee O'Malley, and his sister the late Donna Holas.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on December 12, 2025 at 10:00 A.M. at Ascension of our Lord in Oak Brook Terrace, IL. Visitation will be held from 8:30-10 A.M. on December 12, prior to the mass. Interment with military honors will follow at Queen of Heaven cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in Fr. Bob's honor to the Diocese of Joliet at diojoliet.org.
May his soul, and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.