John "Jack" Donald Coleman

On the day of our Lord June 12, 2025, John (Jack) Donald Coleman went to be with Jesus at the age of 95. He was born in Dearborn, Michigan, on April 11, 1930, to Ona Cook Coleman and John Coleman. He and a younger brother were raised by their Great Aunt ‘Rill and Uncle Gilbert McKee on a small farm because there wasn’t enough to eat at home during those Depression years. Jack was the second of four brothers: Donald, Dale, and Norman.

Jack served as a corporal in the US Army during the Korean War. His unit was stationed close to the fighting. Jack was assigned to the general’s office and was responsible for typing and submitting the daily “morning report.” He loved to tell stories about playing string bass, saxophone, and clarinet in a musical combo made up of soldiers who were excellent musicians. They played for enlisted men and officers and even played at the grand opening of the first Coca-Cola bottling plant in Asia.

Following his time in the service, he attended Greenville College where he met his future wife, Carol Baldwin. After they were married in 1955, Jack sold appliances at Sears in Indianapolis. Jack and Carol settled in Columbus, Ohio, where they developed their own business selling industrial infrared heating systems. The Jetka Corporation was named by using letters from the names of their four children. In 1978, they moved to a small farm near McArthur, Ohio, where all nature (including a few angels) sang to them.

Jack’s wife of 61 years, Carol Baldwin Coleman, preceded him in death in September 2013. He is survived by his little brother, Norm Coleman, who resides in Florida. He’s also survived by all four children; Karen Cooper, Jerry Coleman, Jane Ruppen, and Tim Coleman.

Karen has four children and six grandchildren. Rachel, who has three children named Aurelie and twins Carolina and Jozette; Rebecca Yeager and her husband Jamin Yeager have Angel, Axle, and Adeline. Slade Cooper and brother Jesse Cooper are single young men.

Jerry and his wife Jan have three children and seven grandchildren. Sarah and Russell Toth have two girls, Addy and Norah who live in Australia. Kristin and Spencer Evans live in Los Angeles and have two girls, Olivia and Chloe. David and Alison Coleman live in Nicholasville, Kentucky, and have three children, Cora, Anna, and little Jack.

Jane Ruppen has four children: Amanda and her husband, Matt Petersen live in Wellston, Ohio. Their children are Alyssa, Hannah, and Caroline. John, Brendan, and Keenan live in Traverse City, Michigan.

Tim and his wife Shari live in the Fort Lauderdale area near Meredith and her husband, Cory, and their children Walker, Becket, and Skyler. Tim’s daughter Alison and her husband, Daniel, live in Vass, North Carolina.

Jack’s family is gathering in McArthur from around the world to give “Papa” a warm and loving sendoff to his heavenly home.

Funeral services will be held at 3:00 pm on Sunday, July 6, 2025, at Grace Baptist Church, 201 E. High St, McArthur. Interment will be in Locust Grove Church Cemetery, Vinton County. Friends may visit from 1:30 to 3 pm Sunday at the church. Arrangements are with the Garrett-Cardaras Funeral Home, 201 W. High St, McArthur.

The family suggests memorial contributions be made in memory of Jack Coleman to Grace Baptist Church, P.O. Box 51, McArthur, Ohio 45651.

Please sign his online guestbook at www.cardaras.com