Edward G. Coleman

Edward G. Coleman, 86, of Springfield, died on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at St. John's Hospital, Hospice Unit. Edward was born on October 21, 1922 in Springfield, the son of Charles M. and Sarah Jane Farnsworth Coleman. Ed graduated from Springfield High School before enlisting in the U.S. Army in 1942. He was a member of General George Patton's 3rd Army in England, France and Germany and decorated with six battle stars. Upon earning an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army, Ed earned an Associate's Degree from Springfield College. He then attended the University of Notre Dame at South Bend, IN, earning his bachelor's degree in Business Administration before moving on to the Notre Dame law school where he graduated with a law degree in 1950. Following graduation, Ed entered the FBI as a Special Agent. He remained an FBI agent for three years before returning to Springfield. In 1954 Ed enrolled at Columbia University in New York, NY earning his Masters of Law in 1956. In 1956 Ed returned to Springfield to practice law as well as teach at Springfield College. He married Jean Pittaro from Stanford, CT. Ed and Jean built a successful law practice in Springfield until retiring in 2004. They divorced in 1997. One of Ed's many accomplishments was representing the Illinois State Police for 19 years by establishing and organizing the Illinois State Troopers Lodge. A devoted Roman Catholic, Ed was a founding member of Christ the King Parish and an original member of the Little Flower Parish. Ed was a great person who loved both local and international history, especially World War II. He loved his family and was well respected by the law community in Springfield. He will be missed by all. Preceding Edward in death are his parents; two brothers: LaVern Coleman and Charles Coleman and four sisters, Rita Coleman, Josephine Dayton, Mary Pierson and Eloise Ellerbrock. He is survived by his former wife, Jean Coleman; daughter, Gail (husband, Roy) Coleman Smith; granddaughter, Tara (husband, Russell) Nagel; two great-grandchildren, Carli and Paige Nagel; brother, James R. Coleman of Morton; and many nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends from 11:30-1:15 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2009 at Kirlin-Egan and Butler Funeral Home, 900 S. 6th St. Springfield. Visitation will begin with a prayer service at 11:30 a.m. Funeral Mass will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 22, 2009 at Church of the Little Flower, 800 Stevenson Dr., Springfield, with Rev. Msgr. John R. Ossola, celebrant. Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to Alzheimer's Association, Greater Illinois Chapter, Springfield Office, 6 Drawbridge Rd., Suite 4, Springfield, Illinois 62704.