Shirley Ann Colman (82) of Clay City

Shirley Ann Colman, age 82, of Clay City, Illinois, passed away Thursday night, November 24, 2022, at Flora Rehabilitation and Health Care Center.

She was born April 23, 1940, in Clay County, the daughter of Jesse Eugene and Geneva Alene (Spencer) Hoke.  She was united in marriage to Ronald E. Colman on June 14, 1958, during a ceremony at Bethel Christian Church, and together they have celebrated 64 years of marriage.

Shirley attended Lincoln Christian University and she and Ron began their family during the years they were relocating to be near Air Force bases in Texas, Arizona, and South Dakota.   They returned to Illinois and eventually settled back in Clay County to farm and raise their children on the present-day homestead.  Shirley was an exceptionally supportive wife, mother, and grandmother, and a longtime member of Flora First Christian Church where she taught Sunday School classes and assisted with Vacation Bible School.  Along with helping on the farm, Shirley coordinated the office paperwork for their family business, Ronald Colman Insurance, for many years.  Shirley enjoyed travel; both seeing new places and return trips to Florida.  She found time to garden annually and carefully tend to the landscaping around her home, and was an excellent cook and seamstress.

Shirley is survived by her husband: Ronald “Bud” Colman of Clay City; a son: Jeffrey E. (Lynette) Colman of Springfield; a daughter: Julie (Jeff) Fritchtnitch of Altamont; 6 grandchildren: Paige Colman, Mitchell Colman, Cole Borders, Jerrod Fritchtnitch, Rachael (Tyler) Arnholt, and Caleb Fritchtnitch; a great-grandson: James Arnholt; a sister: Joyce Hoke of Florida; a sister-in-law: Susie Polistina of Springfield; and 2 brothers-in-law: John (Paulette) Colman of Louisville and Roger (Lisa) Colman of Flora.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother: Eugene (Patricia) Hoke; a sister: Donna (Dale) Ruckman; father and mother-in-law: Herbert and Beatrice Colman; and 2 brothers-in-law: Robert (Shirley) Colman and Jerry Colman. 

A funeral ceremony will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday, December 3, 2022, at Frank & Bright Funeral Home in Flora.  Interment will follow in Oskaloosa Cemetery.  A visitation will be held from 5 until 8 p.m. Friday evening, December 2, at the funeral home.  Memorial donations are suggested to either Flora First Christian Church or Oil Belt Christian Service Camp and will be accepted through the funeral home.  To share a condolence or memory, visit by clicking here.