Rev. James G. Coleman

The Rev. James G. Coleman, 86, of Elkview went to sleep in Jesus on Wednesday, August 27, 2008.
He was a wonderful pastor, husband, father and friend. His one desire was that his ministry for the Lord would not end at his death, but continue to extend the invitation to you to accept Jesus as your savior and join him in that Resurrection Day to live forever with Jesus.
He was the son of the late James and Mary Coleman. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by his wife, Ollie; stepson, Russell Billings; and stepdaughter, Janice Dodd Sullivan. Also preceding him in death were his sisters, Fay Hughart, Dorothy Johnson, Garnett Hughart, Grace Hall and June Good; and brother, Thomas Coleman.
Surviving: son, James J. Coleman and wife, Susan, of Big Chimney; daughters, Joyce Thakkar and husband, Gunvant, of Temecula, Calif., and Dorothy Jeffries and husband, James, of Pinch; stepdaughter, Lola Biuckians and husband, Edward, of Churchville, Pa.; 14 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
James graduated from Elkview High School in 1940 where he boxed and played football. He loved following the games of the Herbert Hoover Huskies and was presented a signed game ball by members of the 1995 team.
James proudly served his country for three years in World War II in the Army with Company B 723rd Railway Operating Battalion as private first class. He served in the Rhineland Central Europe Campaign and was awarded the Purple Heart for wounds received in Mausbach, Germany, on September 18, 1944. He received the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Meritorious Unit Award, Combat Infantryman's Badge and Rifle M1 Sharpshooter.
He worked 40 years at the DuPont Belle Plant, for which he was very grateful. His work for the Lord was his first love. James served 12 churches as their pastor. He had the honor of performing 201 baptisms, 124 marriages and officiating 145 funerals and the privilege of 243 conversions during his 67 years in the Lord's ministry. James traveled more than 300,000 miles in the work of his Lord.
The family would like to thank all his friends for their support through the years. A special thanks goes to the staff at Belle's Residential in St. Albans for their loving care during the past five months.
Service will be 11 a.m. Saturday, August 30, at Blue Creek Advent Christian Church, Route 119, north of Elkview, with the Rev. Mike Todorovich, the Rev. Rick Sams and the Rev. Ted Tawney officiating. Burial will be in Tyler Mountain Memory Gardens, Cross Lanes.
Friends may call from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at Blue Creek Advent Christian Church.
In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that donations be made to the American Heart Association or Blue Creek Advent Christian Church, General Delivery, Blue Creek, WV 25026.
James would like to suggest giving your heart unto the Lord and attend a church of your choice. In his memory, give someone a smile or a hug.
Yippie! Peace!
Online condolences may be sent at www.haferfuneralhome.net.
Hafer Funeral Home, Elkview, is in charge of the arrangements.