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Dennis Coleman Obituary
July 16, 1949 - February 26, 2025
Dennis Coleman, longtime head of the St. Louis County Economic Council and the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership, passed away after a brief battle with cancer on February 26, 2025. He was 75.
Denny attended St. Louis University High School, St. Louis University (BA), the University of Wisconsin (MS), and the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. A devout Catholic in the progressive mold of Popes John XXIII and Francis, Denny lived by the Jesuit mottos "Men for Others" and "Ad majorem Dei Gloriam" or AMDG - "to the greater glory of God." These values propelled him through a career in public service that lasted for 40 years.
After starting the DeSales Housing Corporation in 1975, Denny worked at Mercantile Bank and the City of St. Louis before landing at the St. Louis County Economic Council in 1990, an organization that he would lead for 20 years before successfully merging the St. Louis City and County economic development agencies into the St. Louis Economic Development Partnership in 2013. He led this organization until he retired in 2015.
During that time, Denny started programs targeted at regional job creation and expansion, real estate development, funding for plant and life science start-ups, entrepreneurial support for small businesses, education and job training in underserved neighborhoods, economic integration for immigrant communities, and global trade. In recognition of his efforts, he won numerous local, state, and national awards.
Denny was a beloved son, husband, father, father-in-law, brother-in-law, uncle, friend, and mentor. He was preceded in death by his parents Vivian and Wally and is survived by his wife Bonnie, dog Bo, children Michael (Jayme) and Emily (Greg), and four grand dogs (Finn, Hugo, Polly, and Elvis).
His memorial service will be held at Ste. Genevieve du Bois Catholic Church in Warson Woods on Saturday, April 5 at 10:00 a.m. All who want to attend are welcome.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in his name to St. Louis University High School for the St. Louis Presidential Scholarship, Family and Workforce Centers of America, and Pathways Hospice (Fort Collins, CO).
Denny was fortified with the sacrament of Last Rights before his death.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Dennis Coleman
Quentin Wilson
April 5, 2025
Condolences to Denny´s family. His efforts on behalf of the community will be long remembered.
Dale E. Ruthsatz
April 5, 2025
Denny was a great man - we first knew each other in the DeSales days, and later worked together at EDC and ST. Louis Developement Corporation before he went to the County. He will be missed!
Dale Ruthsatz
Sean Mullins
April 1, 2025
Denny always stood out to me as an exemplary professional - exceptionally knowledgeable about economic development, dedicated to the St. Louis community, and a steady-hand in leadership. Always wanted the best for St. Louis, never about himself. Condolences to his family. He will be greatly missed.
Bill Sproull
April 1, 2025
Denny was a friend and mentor of mine. While I worked in Kansas City and later Dallas, and Denny in St. Louis, I knew of him mainly through our professional association, IEDC. He was Chair in 2011, and I was his Treasurer. We worked closely together on a number of IEDC initiatives. More than that, Denny mentored me through example of this character, ethics, even-handedness, encouragement and hard work. My condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Jeffrey Alan Finkle
March 30, 2025
More statements about Denny
Steve Bollinger -
"Jeff was kind enough to connect me with Denny and Bonnie on my bike ride across the country. Life is a funny thing as my buddy Ross and I were just talking this past weekend about our ride and how lucky we were to connect with the people we did. Bonnie and Denny were some of the best!"
Thomas Kucharski -
"Great man and a treasured mentor. Condolences to Bonnie and family and all who knew him."
Edward Nelson -
"What a great guy Denny was."
Jay Moon -
"So sorry to hear about Denny´s passing. He was a great leader and a truly nice person."
Rebecca Thomas -
"I think fondly of Denny and what a testament to who he was and how many cared and were mentored by him."
Han Ko
March 29, 2025
My Deepest condolences.
We are deeply saddened by his passing. His decades of dedication to economic development and community left a lasting impact. His leadership and vision will always be remembered.
My heartfelt condolences to you and your family during this difficult time.
Miriam C. Wesselmann, SSND
March 27, 2025
Bonnie and your son and daughter, know of my thoughts and prayers as you grief you loss. I was Denny´s prayer companion as he received the graces of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius sponsored by the Bridges Foundation. I was so privileged to get yo know him. What a great man, outstanding leader rooted in his Christian faith. I also was able to work with him when he served as president of the Bridges Foundation sharing his many talents in broadening the foundations outreach. His generosity and compassion was contagious. I am grateful for his inspiration, leadership, and commitment to help me and so many people to live a fuller life. Blessings as you are favored by God.
Jeffrey Finkle
March 27, 2025
Tributes to Denny Coleman from his colleagues from the International Economic Development Council
Todd Greene - [email protected] "Denny was one of my heroes and a true titan of our profession! I am grateful and blessed for the wisdom and advice he shared with me early and throughout my career. He will be missed..."
Mark Waterhouse - "We lost another good one."
Nancy Williams - "Such a wonderful human being and an exceptional leader and player in ED."
Ioanna Morfessis - "Denny Coleman, an incredible human being and one of the finest gentlemen I have known, left this life and is now in the blissful sanctuary and embrace of God. May he rest in peace."
Joe Marinucci - "I am so saddened to learn of Denny´s passing."
Robin Krieger - "I adored that man. What a wonderful person who will be so missed by so many."
Diane Lupke - "Truly sad news."
Bill Sproull - "He was such a good friend and mentor to me. He was a great leader for IEDC and our profession."
JoAnn Crary - "Thank you for this update, Jeff. Denny was such a kind man and was always so supportive, providing advice, encouragement and friendship. I will remember him so fondly and keep his memory in my heart."
Barry Matherly - "Truly sad news for his family, community, and the Economic Development profession."
Paul Krutko - "Great man and servant leader....sad to hear of his passing."
William E Best - "Denny was the consummate professional and always a gentleman. What a blessing to have crossed paths with him."
Michael Langley - "Denny was Chair when I joined the Board and was an inspiration to me and so many in our profession. Deepest sympathy to Bonnie and the family."
Tedra Cheatham - "He was a fabulous professional who was so kind and supportive to all...a quiet, unassuming giant that I adored."
Kurt Chilcott - "When I first started at City of San Diego a long time ago my team went to visit Denny and learn about what they were doing in St Louis. That was the beginning of a long friendship. Will miss him and how he approached the work and life."
Jill Frick - "I have great memories of working with Denny. He was so very kind and gave so much of his heart to his work."
Ronnie L Bryant - In addition to my IEDC engagement with Denny, I had the opportunity to work with him for six years in St. Louis. He was a trusted friend who combined professional presence with personal warmth, and he will be missed. My thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie and his entire family."
Dana Crater - "I was so sad to hear about Denny's loss. You could tell he truly cared for everyone he worked with. When he was vice chair, he made a point of letting me know that I could come to him if I had any issues. You could tell he was trying to be supportive of the entire IEDC team as a board member and future chair. Denny touched so many and encouraged many others in their careers."
Sandy Houston
March 26, 2025
Denny was a very upstanding man with great integrity that truly loved and cared about the St. Louis region. My condolences to the family.
John Baricevic
March 23, 2025
St. Louis is better place because of Denny Coleman. My condolences and prayers.
Brian A Murphy
March 21, 2025
A good and decent man, characterized by competence,integrity and faith.
Sonya Venerable
March 20, 2025
I had a chance to work with Dennis Coleman via Office of Community Development and he had the most welcoming smile. I am so sorry for your loss. May the love of friends and family carry you through your grief.
James Bogart
March 20, 2025
I served on the Economic Council Board including 2 years as board chairman. Worked closely with Denny and enjoyed every minute. He was an outstanding leader, a straight shooter, and smart executive. I cherish the time I spent with him. Public servants like Denny are rare. Such a nice guy.My condolences to his family. He will be missed.
Colleen Kelly Starkloff
March 20, 2025
I knew Denny in college and ran into at times at various meetings. He was loyal to Jesuit values, as was evidenced in the programs he started through the Economic Partnership. He made the world a better place while he was here.
My condolences to his wife and family.
Colleen Kelly Starkloff
Vince Schoemehl
March 20, 2025
Denny was a great citizen of our community. He loved not just our city/county, but the people who lived here and he worked to make their lives better. I spoke with a guy in charge of facilitie for a very large company in St. Louis County a few years ago and I asked how they ended up in St. Louis. He said, "One man - Denny Coleman." Well done Denny, and Bonnie, my condolences to you and the family.
Michele "Mike" Walsh
March 20, 2025
Denny was my boss from 2007 to his retirement in 2015.
He was the most kind, knowledgeable, respectful (and respected person) I have ever known. I thought of him as a big brother and not a boss. He touched so many lives in the work that he did - both in his professional and personal life... regionally and internationally.
My thoughts and prayers are with Bonnie and the kids and all of us who are missing him.
Denny, may you rest in paradise.
Steven Johnson
March 20, 2025
Denny was well established when I moved to STL in 2004 to play a role in regional economic development. He and I worked together on several projects and initiatives over the years and he was always both a gentleman and a true professional. He never made it about himself, but always about how to achieve the best outcome for the region.
Jeffrey Finkle and Vanessa Brown
March 20, 2025
It is hard to say goodbye to a good friend, a great colleague and a person that you have a great deal of respect. Denny was all of those and he did those with kindness, thoughtfulness and dignity. Goodbye dear friend.
Linette Warnecke
March 19, 2025
What a gem Denny was. He was my boss (& a mentor) at Mercantile Bank in the mid-80s. As others have expressed, he made such an impact on the St. Louis region and the lives of so many people both professionally and personally. Bonnie, Michael, and Emily, please accept my condolences. It's going to be really hard for a long time and you'll never quit missing him; however, the pain of his loss will lessen with time but the beautiful memories you have & his impact on. your own lives will live on. May God bless you and hold you in His arms during your time of grief.
Linette Warnecke (aka Linette Mathis)
kevin fowler
March 18, 2025
I knew Denny for over 20 years professionally and personally. He was a class act, and will be missed. While I was waiting to receive my kidney transplant, he served as a great role model for me to emulate. Well done my friend. You fought the good fight.
John Temporiti
March 18, 2025
Such a good friend and good man. I met Denny during my years as Chief of staff to Mayor Schoemehl in the early 1980´s. I continuedto be his friend for many years until we professionally met again in 2004 in Charlie Dooley´s first administration. Unfortunately, I am in Sanibel and will be unable to attend his services but we remember him always as a great public servant, a man of God in the Jesuit tradition and a good friend. God bless his family and dear Bonnie. I will remember him in my prayers.
Jim Hall
March 18, 2025
Dennis was a true gentleman. We first met during his first economic development job that I was a board member. My condolences to his family.
Jacque Rocchio
March 18, 2025
My sinserest condolences to Bonnie and family. Denny´s beautiful smile and hearty laughter will be missed
We worked together at mother Merc and his can do attitude was shared with all of us
Mary Rumy
March 18, 2025
Dear Bonnie and Family, I am so very sorry Denny passed away. He did a tremendous amount of good for the Saint Louis area. My late husband and I enjoyed working with him.
Tom Irwin
March 18, 2025
Denny and I worked together for many years. He was a good guy in every respect and I was better for knowing him. Rest in peace my friend.
Tom Irwin
Falmouth, MA
Francis G. Slay
March 18, 2025
Denny Coleman was an outstanding public servant who made a tremendous positive impact on the St. Louis Region. My condolences to his family and friends. -Francis G. Slay
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