Lois R. Coleman

Lois R. Coleman of Redlands, CA was born July 25, 1926 in New Troy, Michigan and went to our Heavenly Father on December 7, 2016.

Lois grew up in Chicago starting from the age of four. She graduated from New Trier High in Chicago in 1943. Lois always worked during these teenage years including working at an aircraft factory during WWII. A few years later, Lois met Donald Coleman and they married in 1949.

Lois and Don had a farm in Rochelle, Illinois, where they raised their five children. They were active in their community and had many friends. Don unfortunately passed away in 1959. Lois became a widow with five children of the ages nine and under. Lois decided to stay on the farm and take other jobs in the community to support her family. A couple of those jobs included working for the city of Rochelle in the County Clerk's office and for St. Patrick's Church as a secretary.

In 1969, Lois decided to move the family to Redlands, CA. By now, her children were young adults and teens. Lois worked hard to make a new life in Redlands and after living in her new town for several years, Lois found herself working in the health care community. She ran a board and care home, as well as, worked in, in-home health care. She retired after twenty years in this profession and eventually took her retirement to Washington state, to be near her youngest daughter Lillian and her family.

Lois then moved back to Redlands in 2008. She became active in her senior housing community and met many new friends. She also stayed very busy with her family and grandchildren and enjoyed many family get-togethers. Her hobbies included watching Sunday Mass on television, reading, shopping, watching baseball and wearing her bright lipstick. She was one in a million and truly loved by many. She will be so ever greatly missed.

Lois is preceded in death by her husband Don, parents Roy and Laura Rook, brothers Bob, Dick and Dale and granddaughter Catherine.

Lois is survived by her five children: Janice Londe, of Cathedral City, CA; Donald Coleman, of Phelan, CA; Laura (Steve) Albanese, of Beaumont, CA; Carol Harrison, of St. Charles, MO; and Lillian (Anthony) Bay, of Camano Island, WA.

Lois is also survived by nineteen grandchildren and fourteen great-grandchildren, as well as, nieces and nephews, many extended family members and friends.

Funeral service will be held at The Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Community in Redlands at the Olive Ave location on Wednesday, December 14, 2016, at 11:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for donations to be made to cancer research at MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas at: gifts.mdanderson.org. Emmerson Bartlett Memorial Chapel, 703 Brookside Avenue, Redlands, handling arrangements.