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 born to 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 soulmate, Shirley Hoke of Louisville, during 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 as a minister.  He enlisted in the United States Air Force in March 1962, serving in 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 had been employed at McDonnell Aircraft in St. Louis, Missouri, as an electronic calibration technician, was an area farmer, and was self-employed as an insurance agent, specializing in crop insurance for many years before his retirement.

      Ron was a member of Flora First Christian Church where he taught Sunday School and served as Deacon and Elder for many years.  He had also served on the Clay City Unit 10 school board and Stanford Township board.

      He is survived by a son: Jeffrey E. (Lynette) Colman of Springfield; a daughter: Julie (Jeff) Fritchtnitch of Altamont; 6 grandchildren: Paige Colman (fiancé Aaron O’Dell), Mitchell Colman (fiancée Jenna Martin), Cole Borders, Jerrod Fritchtnitch (fiancée Sarah Mackowiak), Rachael (Tyler) Arnholt, and Caleb (McCahl) Fritchtnitch; 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 ceremony will be held at 12 noon on Saturday, July 27, 2024, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora with Ron Payne officiating.  Interment will follow in Oskaloosa Cemetery with the presentation of military funeral honors.  A visitation will be held from 10 a.m. until 12 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 these will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit: www.frankandbright.com