John O. Coleman

John O. Coleman passed away Friday, May 27, 2016, in Edgewood, Florida, at the age of 94. He was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin on November 26, 1921. He lived in Waukesha and Delafield for many years before moving to St. Cloud, Florida to spend his retirement years.
The funeral service will be held on Friday, June 17, 2016 at Southminster Presbyterian Church in Waukesha, WI. (200 Richard Street, Waukesha, WI 53189). Katie Ebel of Southminster Presbyterian Church will be officiating. Visitation will be held from 9:30 am to 11:00 am, followed by a memorial service and remembrance gathering. Burial with full military honors will follow at Prairie Home Cemetery at 2 pm.
He received his BA degree from the University of Wisconsin. He had previously attended Carroll College, where he met his wife Ella Mae (Maizie) Davies. The two were married on March 25, 1944, while John was on a military leave. John served for almost three years in the US Army as a Radio Operator in the Combat Engineer Battalion Company B. He was stationed in the European Theater (Germany) where he earned two Bronze Stars before being honorably discharged in September of 1945.
John worked as a large engines salesman for Waukesha Engine and Caterpillar to name a few. In the summer time most family time was spent on the lake, sailing, swimming or boating. He was an avid sailor, both C and E class which began in 1937. Other hobbies included amateur radio, stamp collecting, scouting, and building duplicate sailboats of boats he owned, down to minute details. John was an active member of the Nagawicka Lake Yacht Club where he sailed for over 50 years. He also judged races for over 30 years and became a chief judge. He will be remembered by how easily he made friends and his words “stop by the house any time”, which he really meant!
He was preceded in death by his wife of 56 years Ella Mae (Maizie Davies), and two sons, Steven and David. He is survived by his two daughters Deborah Bartmann (Greg Erdman) of Waukesha and Nancy (Rick) Hannon of St. Cloud, Florida. Also survived by daughter-in-law Gail Coleman (Steve Clavette) of Sarasota, Florida, formerly married to John’s deceased son Steven Coleman. Further survived by grandchildren, Douglas (Jessica) Bartmann, Steven Bartmann, Stephanie Coleman, David Coleman, Jason, Cole & Casey Hannon. Great-grandchild Jackson Bartmann.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to the family, in c/o Deborah Bartmann, 1521 Morey Lane, Waukesha, WI, 53188.
The family of John Coleman wishes to thank Southminster Presbyterian Church, Prairie Home Cemetery, Randle-Dable-Brisk Funeral Home, and the US Armed Forces in particular the Army.