Where Food, Drinks & Stories Are Shared
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Dolores Coleman

May 2, 1929 - February 3, 2008
Kalamazoo, MI

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Visitation

Thursday, February 7, 2008
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Visitation

Friday, February 8, 2008
4:00 PM to 8:00 PM EST
Betzler Life Story Funeral Homes
Kalamazoo Location
6080 Stadium Drive
Kalamazoo, MI 49009
(269) 375-2900
Driving Directions

Service

Saturday, February 9, 2008
11:00 AM EST
St. Joseph Catholic Church
939 Lake St
Kalamazoo, MI 49001
(269) 343-6256

Contributions


At the family's request memorial contributions are to be made to those listed below. Please forward payment directly to the memorial of your choice.

St. Joseph Catholic Church
936 Lake St
Kalamazoo, MI 49001

Flowers


Below is the contact information for a florist recommended by the funeral home.

Ambati
1830 S. Westnedge
Kalamazoo, MI 49008
(269) 349-4961
Driving Directions
Web Site

Life Story / Obituary


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Dolores M. Coleman was a beloved wife, devoted mother and grandmother,and tireless friend of the community. She was humorous and fun loving, tidy and organized, bright and well-read. Her heart for hurting and disadvantaged people, propelled her from food pantries and fund-raising marathons to quiet visits and heart-to-heart conversations with those she held close. Dolores was truly a woman of grace and beauty.

Dolores was born the year the U.S. stock market crash sent the nation into economic depression. Yet families managed to make life pleasant in the midst of harsh conditions by their resilient spirit and hopeful outlook. At that time, one family in Warren, Ohio was celebrating the birth of their first child. Dolores was born at home to William Wallace and Frieda Belle (Phillips) Ferguson on May 2, 1929. She became the big sister~the only sister~of William, Donald, Robert, Gary and Dennis. While their mother had her hands full at home with the children, their father worked at Newton Falls Steel Mill. When the mill became a casualty of the Depression, the family moved to Monroe, Michigan where Dolores’ father found work at a steel mill in Monroe. It was the first of several moves her parents made in order to better the life of their family.

The move to rural Ida, Michigan provided an idyllic place for children to thrive. With a big farm house and vast expanses of land, Dolores and her brothers were free to chase around with their dog Tippy, swing in the side yard, picnic and swim at a lake near the Irish Hills. Then their dad took a job as a crane operator on the ore docks in Dearborn, Michigan with the Ford Motor Company. The family moved to nearby Melvindale, the first time they had lived in a city. Soon enough, in the early 40s, they moved back to rural Michigan, settling in Newport near Lake Erie. The setting was more to their liking, and in the neighboring city of Monroe, Dolores finished her secondary education at Monroe High School, class of 1946.

Dolores went on to graduate from Western Michigan University in 1948 with a two-year secretarial degree. Her activity with ABE sorority became an early indicator of Dolores’ involvement in many volunteer organizations and charities. Her chance meeting with fellow student, William Coleman, had set the stage for a wonderful relationship.

It was while Dolores was waiting to register for class, that she first met William Patrick Coleman. They chatted in line, and by the time she got to the front, Pat had asked her to the Friday night “Sock Hop.” That was the beginning of their courtship that culminated in a lifelong commitment. In the spring of 1948, Pat sold his car to buy Dolores an engagement ring, and the two were married on September 10, 1948. At that time, Dolores became a Catholic so that St. Augustine Church could bless their union. Dolores and Pat’s life together was further blessed by five children: Diane, Denise, David, Steven and Catherine. Thanks to Dolores, they were raised with good manners, the encouragement to be independent, and the drive to follow their dreams.

Life for those around Dolores was also made richer because of her work in the community. She was an active member of St. Joseph Catholic Church (where she also served as secretary), Portage Senior Center, Shepard Center, Muscular Dystrophy Association (25 years for Jerry Lewis Telethon), Major Disease Clinic and the Republican Women of Kalamazoo. Along the way, she made many friends who became especially important to her when her beloved husband passed away.

Dolores and Bill had been married for 50 years, traveling extensively to place like Ireland, Scotland and Hawaii, enjoying winters in Brooksville, Florida. Three years prior to his death, she had selflessly cared for him, as was characteristic of her loving ways. After his death in 1997, she reached out to friends with whom she traveled to such far-reaching places as Alaska, China, Hungary, Germany. Everywhere she went, Dolores saved currency from various countries to add to her coin collection. Also, she continued to read mystery novels, do arts and crafts and visit with her friends.

Dolores remained active until October of 2007, when she had by-pass surgery to address heart disease. She never left the hospital as one complication after another set in. She died at Select Specialty Hospital on February 3, 2008 at the age of 78. Her family will miss her dearly. They include five children: Diane Coleman of Bensenville, IL, Denise Coleman-Hogue of Sarasota, FL, David Coleman of Port Orange, FL, Steven Coleman of Kalamazoo and Catherine (Coleman) Morrison of Paw Paw; nine grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews.

Dolores valued her family in many ways. She cared for them out of her giving spirit, and she instilled pride in them for being who they are. With her sharp memory, Dolores became the family historian, who now passes her legacy of love to her children and grandchildren.

Dolores M. Coleman, of Kalamazoo, was preceded in death by her husband, William Coleman; grandson, Joshua Coleman; and five brothers. To learn more about Dolores, view her Life Story Film and visit with her family Thursday and Friday from 4:00-8:00 PM at the Life Story Funeral Home, Betzler - Kalamazoo, 6080 Stadium Dr, Kalamazoo, (800) 822-7594. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday 11:00 AM at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Interment will be at Mt. Everest Cemetery. Following the burial, food and fellowship will be shared in the parish hall. Please visit Dolores’ memory page at www.lifestorynet.com where you can archive a memory or photo, sign the guest book before coming to the funeral home, or make a memorial contribution to St. Joseph Catholic Church.

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