James Coleman, 67
May 29, 1944 — Feb. 22, 2012

James D. Coleman, 67, of Gettysburg Drive, Niles, died at 3:23 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2012, at Memorial Hospital in South Bend of an extended illness.

Mr. Coleman was born May 29, 1944, in Mishawaka, Ind., to Ernest Dale and Margaret (Brockus) Coleman. He graduated from Brandywine High School in 1963 and later from Southwestern Michigan College. James was a veteran of the Vietnam era, having served in the U.S. Navy. He was previously employed at Simplicity Pattern Co. and retired from the Ford Division of the Jordan Automotive Group.

James was a member of First Missionary Church in Niles. He enjoyed fishing and camping in the area, bowling on leagues at Whites Bowling Alley, shooting pool and being a spectator or participant of all sports. He loved his family, especially his grandsons.

On Jan. 12, 1968, in Niles, he married the former Janice G. Carter, who survives. Surviving family also includes their daughters, Stacey (Brian) Allen and Shelly (Brian) Woodbury, both of Niles; grandsons, Kyle (fiancee Jenna Semrinec) Coleman and Cameron Woodbury; mother, Margaret Quinn, of South Bend; brothers, Ernest (Judy) Coleman and Ronald (Sherry) Coleman, both of Niles; and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, Ernest Dale Coleman, who died in July 2010, and his sister, Donna Hexamer, who died in 2011.

Funeral services for James D. Coleman will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, at First Missionary Church in Niles with the Rev. Daniel Miller of the church officiating, and will conclude with full military honors by the U.S. Navy Honor Guard and American Legion Post 51 in Buchanan.

Interment will be at Mission Hills Memorial Gardens in Niles.

The family will receive relatives and friends beginning at 11 a.m. Saturday at the church.

Arrangements were made by Halbritter Funeral Home in Niles.

Contributions in memory of James may be made to the American Cancer Society.