Linda Ann Coleman

Oct. 19, 1953 - Sept. 28, 2019 (65)

Our beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin and friend, has been called to her heavenly home by our Lord and Savior.

From birth until death, Linda was the life of the party. Her strength and perseverance was unmatched. She devoted herself to nurturing those around her by bringing love, compassion, and laughter into their lives. Although heartbroken in her absence, her exuberant presence will always be felt.

The eldest of three children, Linda was born in Wilkes-Barre, PA to Armin “Bud” and Betty (Moore) Gill. She grew up in Bridgeport, WV & was a 1971 graduate of Bridgeport High School. She served as a candy striper and provided summer childcare for countless families during her school days.

Upon graduation Linda attended West Liberty University to study art and it was there that she met the love of her life, Barry D. Coleman, whom she married May 5, 1973 at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church in Clarksburg, WV.

Never one to demand the limelight, Linda worked tirelessly behind the scenes on school & community projects everywhere she lived: from fundraising for the first ever fitness trail in Fort Frye/Beverly, OH, to PTA member, Athletic Booster, and Newsletter coordinator at Walnut Township Schools in Millersport. 13 years were devoted to serving as Room Mother, class party and book fair coordinator in Millersport & Heath, then official score keeper of the track team at Miamisburg City schools. Linda could always be found immersed in the lives of children as she also narrated for the Dayton Children’s Opera.

Aside from being a mother, her most admirable calling was encouraging & supporting breast cancer patients as a Reach to Recovery Volunteer for The American Cancer Society. She never knew a stranger and bravely shared her courageous story, bringing hope to those fighting the same disease she battled for nearly 20 years.

From 2003 until 2012 she worked as an assistant manager at Motherhood Maternity, to then retire to her hobbies of reading, needle point, flower gardening, bird watching and joyfully hosting Cousins Camp/Camp Coleman for her grandchildren each summer.

Her favorite occupation was as homemaker, wife and mother.

A lover of music and movies, she could never be stumped on entertainment trivia.

Linda’s greatest accomplishment and joy were her three children & nine grandchildren.

A three time cancer warrior, she is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, Barry; her Children: Courtney (Jim) Prang of Zanesville, Barry Andrew (Megan) Coleman of Fairfield, and Elizabeth (Brandon) Abbott of Kettering; Grandchildren: Riley Padar, Jaxson Prang, Kylie Coleman, Cole Abbott, Seth Abbott, Olivia Prang, Kailyn Coleman, Cullen Prang & Barry Alexander Coleman; her Sister Donna (Warren) Hartley of Rivesville WV, Brother Armin (Janie) Gill Jr. of Fairmont WV, Mother-in-Law Eleanor (Cordray) Coleman of Newark OH, Brother-In-Law George (Penny) Coleman of Heath OH, as well as nieces & nephews: Rob (Shannon) Coleman, Brooke (Corey) Love, Jacob (India) Gill, Rebecca (Will) Habbershon, Jonathan (Talena) Gill & Melissa (Mike) Jura.

Also left behind to mourn, are Special Cousin Cheryl (Dr. Warren) Smith of DuBois, PA and Best Friend/Sister of the Heart, Sandy Hensley of Dayton.

Preceding Linda in death are her parents Bud and Betty Gill and Father-in-Law, Max Coleman.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Saturday, October 19th at 3 p.m. in the chapel of Miamisburg Christian Church located at 1146 East Central Ave. Miamisburg, OH 45342.

Tobias Funeral Home has been entrusted with cremation with care services.

Donations in Linda’s honor can be made to: METAvivor.org (Research, Support & Awareness of metastatic breast cancer).