Jerry Dale Coleman

It is with extreme sadness that Jerry Dale Coleman, 72, of Harvard, passed away unexpectedly yet peacefully Monday, Sept. 2, 2024, at his home. The night before, Jerry was enjoying a quiet evening on his patio, he enjoyed watching the sunrise, the sunset and everything in between. Jerry was born on October 3, 1951 to Loren Elwood and Anna Lucille (McClain) Coleman in Decatur, IL. Jerry was the third of four children, from oldest to youngest, Loren, Bill, Jerry and Susan.

Jerry was an entrepreneur, he owned a trucking business and was the author of two books Strange Highways and More Strange Highways. Over his life, Jerry surrounded himself with many sentimental artifacts. He was an avid card, coin and stamp collector. He had a left handed creative talent as an artist, he enjoyed drawing whatever came to his mind as well as the Myth or Real cards in 1994. Jerry was always curious and had interest in knowing more. He loved the outdoors, hunting, camping and fishing in his younger years, it was a hobby he cherished with his children. He found much interest in the unexplained and loved talking about outer space, the stars and planets. Jerry really enjoyed live music, some of his favorites were, Elvis, Johnny Cash, The Beatles and specifically John Lennon’s song “Imagine”. Jerry truly loved his children and always saw the good in them. He embraced their individual personalities, their careers and their interests. Jerry enjoyed time spent with his neighbors wherever he lived. When it came to sports, he was a loyal Cubs fan and he found much joy watching his grandson Michael play hockey. He had an entertaining sense of humor, young or old Jerry never lost his joy of laughter. He was a man that loved to sit and engage in meaningful conversation paired with a cigarette. Jerry simply ran out of time and he will be deeply missed.

Jerry will be missed by: his children, Jennifer Carter Hogan, Stephanie (Christopher) Kowalski, Nicholas (Jess) Coleman and Tara (Max) Coleman. Jerry has 7 Grandchildren, Jessica, Jamie, Hayden, Ben, Megan, Mackenzie, Michael, 6 great grandkids, as well as big brother Loren (Jennifer) Coleman, little sister Susan (Larry) Coleman Hoey Gray and numerous nieces and nephews.

Jerry was preceded in death by his parents, first son Jerry Denton Coleman, big brother William W.”Bill” Coleman, stepfather, Ray Atkins, stepsisters, Sheryl Chavez and Shelley Atkins.

Services will be private. A celebration of Jerry’s life will be held at a later date.

Jerry wanted his cremains donated to the University of Tennessee Anthropological Research Facility in Knoxville, TN. He said “I’ll finally get accepted into a University” Jerry is continuing his creative journey.

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