Ronald Eugene Colman, age 85, of Clay City

Ronald Eugene Colman, age 85, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away Thursday morning, July 18, 2024, at St. Anthony’s Memorial Hospital in Effingham.

He was born on February 4, 1939, one of six children of Herbert Lee and Beatrice Lorraine (Colclasure) Colman in Oskaloosa Township. He graduated from North Clay Community High School in 1956. In 1958, Ron married his soul mate, Shirley Hoke of Louisville, in a ceremony at Bethel Christian Church, and together they celebrated 64 years of marriage until her passing on November 24, 2022.

Ron attended Lincoln Bible Institute, now Lincoln Christian University, where he earned his bachelor’s degree in ministry. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1962 and served at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas, Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas, Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson, Arizona, and Ellsworth Air Force Base in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was honorably discharged in December 1965.

He was employed by McDonald Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri as an electronic calibration technician, farmed in the area, and was a self-employed insurance agent specializing in crop insurance for many years before retiring.

Ron was a member of Flora First Christian Church, where he taught Sunday school and served as a deacon and elder

for many years. He also served on the Clay City Unit 10 School Board and the Stanford Township Board.

He is survived by a son, Jeffrey E. (Lynette) Colman of Springfield; a daughter, Julie (Jeff) Fritchnitch of Altamont; 6 grandchildren, Paige Colman (fiancé Aaron O’Dell), Mitchell Colman (fiancé Jenna Martin), Cole Borders, Jerrod Fritchnitch (fiancé Sarah Mackowiak), Rachel (Tyler) Arnholt, and Caleb (McCahl) Fritchnitch; a great-grandson, James Arnholt; siblings, Susie Polistina of Springfield, John (Paulette) Colman of Louisville, and Roger (Lisa) Colman of Flora; a sister-in-law, Joyce Hoke of Florida; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; wife: Shirley Colman; 2 brothers: Robert (Shirley) Colman and Jerry Colman; sister-in-law: Donna (Dale) Ruckman; and a brother-in-law: Eugene (Patricia) Hoke.

A funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Ron Payne officiating. Burial will follow in Oskaloosa Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors. Visitation will be from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon on Saturday at the funeral home. Memorial donations are suggested to Joy Bunch at Red Brush Christian Church, Oil Belt Christian Service Camp or Flora First Christian Church and will be accepted through the funeral home. To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com