PERCY – Wendell Gene "Shorty" Coleman of Percy, Illinois, passed away on July 10, 2022, at the age of 95. Gene was born on October 1, 1926, to Griff and Pearl (Walker) Colman, in Sunfield, Illinois. He married Doris K. Woll on October 3, 1944, in Percy, IL, she preceded him in death on March 12, 2010. Also preceded in death is a son-in-law Bill Thien, daughter-in-law Connie Coleman, and two great grandchildren.

Gene is survived by his children: Diane and Chuck Barnes, Vicki Thien, Ron Coleman, Dawn and Charlie Mott, Joyce and Mark Overton, Scott and Mary Coleman, Lloyde Hyde; sisters: Retha Jones of Chester, IL, Kay Todaro of St. Louis, MO; sister-in-law, Linda Coleman of Percy, IL, twenty grandchildren, thirty-nine great grandchildren, and one great great grandchild.

Gene was a Veteran, having served in the U.S. Army during WWII, 1944-1946, and was a Staff Sergeant. He was a member of Grace Church Ministries, Chester, IL, and American Legion Post #1145, Percy, IL. Gene had retired from Arch Mineral Coal Company after working 35 years. He was an active member of his community and served as the Percy Mayor for 16 years.

Gene and Doris Coleman never let any grass grow under their feet. After raising a big family, they still found time to serve in the Peace Corps in Nicaragua from 1977-1979. They worked missions in Honduras, Mexico and in Quito, Ecuador.

A Celebration of Life will be held at 1:00 pm, Saturday, July 16, 2022, at Grace Church Ministries, Chester, IL, with Pastor Ron Coleman officiating. Burial will follow at Percy Village Cemetery, Percy, IL. Visitation will be 10 – 1 pm, at the church. The preferred form of remembrance is to Grace Church Youth Department, and can be mailed to Wilson's Funeral Home, P.O. Box 217, Steeleville, IL, 62288. To sign the guestbook, visit www.wilsonsfuneralhome.net .