TOM COLEMAN

ANNA, Ill. -- Robert T. "Tom" Coleman, 51, of Belleville died suddenly Monday, Jan. 12, 1998, in Washington, D.C.

He was an assistant United States attorney for the Southern District of Illinois.

Coleman was born Oct. 3, 1946, in Carbondale, son of Robert A. and Mary Hinkle Coleman. He attended school in Anna, received a bachelor of science degree from the University of Alabama in 1968, and received a juris doctorate from the University of Kansas School of Law in 1971.

Coleman was appointed assistant U.S. attorney by U.S. Attorney General William French Smith in 1982. In 1994 he became senior litigation counsel. He also served as the district's international and national security officer.

He was commended by the directors of the FBI and Illinois State Police for his involvement in the investigation and prosecution of what was at the time the largest marijuana conspiracy case ever brought in the United States.

That case resulted in more than 150 convictions and forfeiture of judgments in excess of $100 million. As a result of his efforts, Coleman was presented the International Narcotics Law Enforcement Award of Honor in Miami, Fla., in 1990.

Coleman also received the City of Cairo Award of Honor for involvement and prosecution of numerous federal drug cases. He served as the coordinator of the Carbondale-Murphysboro Violent Crime Initiative the past three years. He had handled a wide variety of federal prosecutions.

Before joining the U.S. Attorney's Office, he was first assistant state's attorney for Williamson County from 1978-82. Prior to that he was in private law practice in Anna and Carbondale.

Coleman was a member of American Bar Association, Illinois Bar Association, St. Clair County Bar Association, and First Presbyterian Church in Centralia.

Survivors include his mother of Anna; a sister, Melinda Mancini of Howell, Mich.; and companion, Karen Davidson of Centralia.

Friends may call at Hileman and Parr Funeral Home in Jonesboro from 4-9 p.m. Friday, and Saturday at First Presbyterian Church in Anna from 11 a.m. to service time.

Funeral service will be at 1:30 p.m. Saturday at the church, with pastor Ed Evans officiating. Burial will be in Jonesboro Cemetery.