John Herpel Coleman left his earthly life at 6:10 p.m. on Thursday evening 12 the October 2023 to join his beloved wife Irma and other loved ones who were waiting for his prayers to be summoned Home to be answered.

Mike was born in Duncansville PA into a family with a long history in the coal-mining and machining industries in the state as well as strong connections to the medical profession (his eldest sister Kathryn was the first female graduate of Temple University Medical School, married to physician Dr Daniel Persing; his sister Helen was married to physician Dr Leon Reed Walker; another sister, Etta Mae, died in childhood).

After an apprenticeship in the tool-and-die trade at the E.G. Budd Company in Philadelphia, Mike obtained a mechanical engineer's qualification from Pennsylvania State University that served him well in his long-time career as Plant Manager for INSACO, Inc., "precision manufacturers of hard materials," where he designed and implemented the creation of highly specialized products for medical equipment and other sensitive applications. He was elected Chairman of the Upper Bucks County Technical School's Advisory Council for ten years from 1975–1985, and he was still serving the ceramics machining industry as a consultant well into his 90th year.

Among Mike's other pursuits was a lifelong passion for antique automobiles, and he restored, with the help of his equally gifted son Brian, several award- winning vehicles including a 1963 Volvo PV544, winner of an AACA National Award and a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 380SL convertible that captured First Prize at the AACA Nationals in 2009; two rare hatchback Chevy Novas (1976 and 1977); and a Mercury Comet. Mike had the ability to trouble-shoot and fix just about everything mechanical, and he was a skilled craftsman and builder as well. He helped his long-time friend Edward Hales build his house on Tennis Avenue, and he was always ready to help a friend in need. Stories of his "Good Samaritan" activities are legend in the household. A long-time member of the Church of the Brethren, while still with the Ambler Church of the Brethren, he was part of the team that originated and implemented the plans for the Peter Becker Brethren Community. He played softball with the Ambler Church of the Brethren team and coached Little League for many years.

With his dear, departed wife, Irma Grace Hoover, he travelled to many parts of the world, including Scotland, where he tracked down information about the Coleman family's Scottish roots, part of his ongoing project to create a definitive and comprehensive Family Tree Maker® genealogy, a mission passionately shared with and continued by daughter Donna. The events of a memorable month-long tour of the South Island of New Zealand in a "caravan" were often recounted, and for many years, Mike and Irma enjoyed scores of extended Road Trips Across America in their luxurious Foretravel motor home.

Mike's earthly journeys are now complete, as his earnest prayers to be Called to his Heavenly Home have been answered, and he has joined Irma and other departed loved ones in the long-awaited Great Reunion. May they Rest in Blessed Peace and Joy for all Eternity. Mike's ashes will be interred alongside the grave of his wife, Irma Grace (Hoover), who predeceased him in 2007.

A Celebration of Life service will take place at Indian Creek Church of the Brethren, 821 Main Street, Harleysville, PA at 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, 4th November 2023, with Visitation and Receiving Line from 10:30 – 11:15 AM that morning. For those unable to attend services, you can view services by clicking here .

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mike's name may be made to either Ambler Church of the Brethren "Save the Bell Tower" project by clicking here , Heifer International by clicking here or The American Cancer Society by clicking here .

Online condolences may be expressed to the family at www.williamsbergeykoffel.com.