Gerald Coleman

Gerald M. "Preacher Man" Coleman, 89 of Jackson, formerly of Scott City, passed on to his heavenly home Saturday, Nov. 11, 2017, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born May 1, 1928, the son of William and Cora Sanders Coleman. He and Betty L. Ritchie were married Nov. 3, 1950.

Gerald served in the U.S. Army from 1948 to 1951, where he was first in command for his medic unit.

He worked at Ford Motor Co. in St. Louis for 15 years, worked at Cape GMC in auto-body repair, and was formerly an active evangelist and pastor. He attended First Pentecostal Church in Cape Girardeau. Preacher Man was known for his love of God, his family and riding horses.

Loving survivors include his wife of 67 years, Betty L. Coleman; 11 children, Sharon Songer of Arkansas, Deborah Yount of Jackson, Jerry Coleman of Arkansas, Karen (Albert) Blumenberg of Jackson, Ruby McCoy of Jackson, Wanda Dees of Marble Hill, Missouri, Rosemary, Fred and Garry (Amy) Coleman of Cape Girardeau, Beth (Kevin) Werner of Jackson and Larry (Shawna) Coleman of Marble Hill; 36 grandchildren; 43 great-grandchildren; and 10 great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Marsha Griffith; two grandchildren; and five sisters.

Visitation will be from 5 to 8 p.m. Wednesday at McCombs Funeral Home and Cremation Center in Jackson and from 10 to 11 a.m. Thursday at First Pentecostal Church in Cape Girardeau.

The funeral service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday at the church, with the Revs. Robert Smithey and Darrell Faire officiating. Burial will follow at Russell Heights in Jackson.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital; First Pentecostal Church, 3054 Lexington Ave., Cape Girardeau, MO 63701; or McClure United Pentecostal Church in McClure, Illinois.

Online condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.mccombsfuneralhome.com.