John Coleman

John P. Coleman, 80, of Cape Girardeau passed away Monday, July 18, 2022, at Southeast Hospital in Cape Girardeau.

He was born August 29, 1941, in Bluffton, Indiana, the only child of Dale and Ethel Park Coleman.

John grew up and attended high school in Ridge Farm, Illinois. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University with a Bachelor of Science degree in education with majors in both history and social studies and worked as an American history teacher at Springfield High School in Springfield, Illinois. He then attended the University of Iowa and graduated with a Ph.D. in philosophy.

John taught in the History Department at Southeast Missouri State University for 34 years and was published multiple times in the field of history education. He helped found the university's Young Republicans and was active for years with local Republican groups. In addition to teaching, he was also an expert on Billy Sunday, the famous evangelist, and was often asked to be a guest speaker on the topic.

After his retirement, John continued to work, often volunteering for up to three jobs at once; ranging from working in the kitchen at the senior center, to helping young children learn to read. Most notably, he volunteered at Kent Library for more than a decade, and was responsible for organizing a collection of more than 350 boxes of documents, a single task that took him more than two years to complete.

In his free time, John was an avid studier of religion and politics, and read several thousand books throughout his lifetime. He was also a passionate cook and baker and was known to generously share his sweet creations with all those around him. However, more than anything, John was known for his Christian faith; always praying for family, friends, and any stranger who crossed his path. He was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for 50 years.

John leaves behind his two children, Laura Anne (Terry) Seabaugh and David Jennings (Jerri) Coleman; his grandchildren, Scott (Jennifer), Joey, Noah, and Maya; and a great-grandchild, Nolan.

He was preceded in death by his parents and his wife and lifelong friend, Sharon Coleman.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Saturday at McCombs Funeral Home in Cape Girardeau.

Funeral service will be at 2:30 p.m. at the funeral home with the Rev. Ellen Gurnon officiating.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Westminster Presbyterian Church in Cape Girardeau.