Ira Everette Coleman

Ira Everette Coleman went to be with his Lord on Monday, October 13, 2014.

He was born August 11, 1920, at the family home in the hills of Millard, Kentucky, to Abraham Lincoln and Anna Elizabeth Coleman. On Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 1946, he married Montella (Thomas) Coleman, who preceded him in death in 2007.

In January 1941, he joined the 38th Infantry Division, Medical Regiment. When World War II broke out, he was stationed as a medic in the Philippines.

Ira was a member of Wesley United Methodist Church in Van Wert for over 60 years. Ira worked at Continental Can Company in Van Wert for 31 years, retiring and starting a new job with Aeroquip Corporation until he finally retired for good. He was a member of American Legion Post 346 in Ohio City.

Ira loved his family, church and his country.

Ira is survived by a son, Robert (Diane Mercer) Coleman; a daughter, Susan Welker; six grandchildren, Guy (Annie Brinkman) Coleman, Tania Canales, Heidi Hammond, Carol (Jay Jones) Canales, Holly (Chris) Huss and Kaitlin (Scott) Wilkins; five great-grandchildren, Bethany (Adam) Watkins, Nathaniel (Brittany Harruff) Kline, Nicholas Barrientos, Austin (Bailey) Hammond, and Emilie Jones; and three great-great-granddaughters, Sylvia, Corrine and Nevaeh. He is also survived by a brother, Abraham (Irene) Coleman Jr.; two sisters, Pauline Craig and Ellen Werts; and three sisters-in-law, Hazel Coleman, Jean (Roscoe) Abbott and Patricia Thatcher.

A brother, Cecil Coleman; and four sisters, Flora Polly, Mary Zinna, Zettie Eunice Coleman and Hazel Faye Rofrits, also preceded him in death.

Funeral services will be conducted at 1 p.m. Friday, October 17, at Alspach-Gearhart Funeral Home & Crematory in Van Wert, with the Rev. Josh Tissot officiating. Burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery in Ohio City, where graveside military honors will be provided by Legion Post 346 in Ohio City.

Calling hours are from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, October 16, and an hour prior to services Friday at the funeral home.

Preferred memorials: Wesley United Methodist Church.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.alspachgearhart.com.