Vance Coleman

Vance Coleman, 73, formerly of North Platte, died at the V.A. Medical Center in Grand Island.

Vance was born in Paxton on November 19, 1945, to Austin and Wanda Coleman. He grew up in Nebraska and graduated from Mullen High School then attended Mid-Plains Community College. Vance enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served in the 809th Combat Support Group. Following his honorable discharge in 1967, he returned to Nebraska.

Vance was united in marriage to Bertha Hasenauer at the North Platte Berean Church on July 13, 1969. They lived in North Platte for a short time before moving to a farm in Hayes County where Vance worked for her father. After a while they moved to Hiawatha, Kansas then returned to North Platte. Vance hired on with the Union Pacific Railroad in 1972 and worked as a Fireman/Oiler until retiring in 1986. By 1994 he and Bertha moved to Ord where they were members of the Evangelical Free Church.

Vance enjoyed reading books and visiting with people.

He is survived by his sons, Tim and Andrew Coleman, both of Ord; grandson, Trey Salem; son-in-law, Rick Smith, of Springfield, Missouri; sister, Phyllis Phillips, of Whitman; and other family.

Vance was preceded in death by his wife, Bertha, their daughter, Vina Smith, infant twin sons and a baby daughter; his parents, Austin and Wanda; and brothers, Clyde and Walter Coleman.

Cremation was chosen. Graveside Service with Military Honors will be 3 p.m. on Friday, July 5, 2019, at Fort McPherson National Cemetery. The memorial book may be signed at odeanchapel.com or at the graveside. Odean Colonial Chapel at C & Sycamore is in charge of arrangements.