Douglas Dean Coleman, the son of Frank E. Coleman and Opal M. (Brown) Coleman, was born August 2, 1925 in Greenwood, NE and passed away on September 8, 2022 at the Republic County Hospital, Belleville, KS at the age of 97 years, 1 month and 6 days.
Doug went to school in Greenwood, NE, Julian, NE, Bennett, NE, Lincoln, KS, Lucas, KS, and Salina, KS before moving to Marysville, KS
Doug joined the U. S. Navy on October 14, 1943. He attended Boot Camp in Farragut, Idaho (also Gunners Mate School). While in the Navy, he traveled to New Guinea, Philippians, China, Hawaiian Islands, Marshall Island and Bikini Island where he witnessed the atomic bombs (2) being tested. He was aboard the destroyer USS Turner DD832. He was transferred to the MacCaffery DD860 and then went to Hong Kong and Shanghai. When he was eligible for discharge, he returned to Alameda, CA naval air station where he was discharged on December 6, 1946. After his discharge, he returned to Washington, KS where he worked for Kansas Power and Light Company from October 29, 1947 until May 1, 1988, working for 40 years and 6 months.
Doug was introduced to Beverly M. Neal by a Navy friend in Marysville, KS. They were united in marriage at Washington Christian Church on September 25, 1948.
Doug was very active in the Church and the community. He was a church deacon, Sunday School teacher, assistant Sunday School superintendent, elder and greeter.
He was on the Washington Fire Department for 38 years from 1950 – 1988, and was Fire Chief for many years. Doug also was a long time Lions Club member and a life member of the American Legion and VFW. In May of 2012, he attended the Honor Flight to Washington DC.
Doug enjoyed all the high school sport activities and was a big fan of Kansas State Sports. He also drove for USD 222 for 19 years.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Opal Coleman, his wife, Beverly M. Coleman on January 31, 2022; daughter-in-law, Tami Coleman; Brother, Harry J. Coleman; Sister, Mary Alyce Coleman Latham.
Doug is survived by Children: Douglas D. (Lori) Coleman II of Manhattan, KS, Charles M. Coleman of Wakefield, KS, Jennifer A. (Tom) Jungck of Hastings, NE, and Lisa (Jeff) Noland of Belleville, KS; 10 grandchildren: Scott Coleman, Hayley Bieker, Shannon Kimbrough, Melody Rich, Jed Coleman, Orrin Coleman, Erica Neufeld, Jessica Rohan, Jamie Thomas, and Jackie Bryce; 19 great grandchildren; one brother, Fred J. (Kathy) Coleman; sister-in-law’s, Julie Neal and Barbara Neal; other relatives, and friends.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, September 19, 2022 at the Central Christian Church, Belleville, Kansas.
Graveside services will be held 2:00 PM, Monday, September 19, 2022 at the Washington City Cemetery, Washington, Kansas with Military Graveside Rites by the U. S. Navy Honor Detail.
Visitation will be from 1 PM until 8 PM on Sunday, September 18, 2022 the Bachelor-Surber Funeral Home, Belleville, KS where the family will greet friends from 2 PM until 3 PM on Sunday, Sept. 18th.
Memorials are suggested to the Central Christian Church, Washington Christian Church, or the Washington Fire Department.
Online condolences at www.bachelor-surber.com
