Services for Clyde Coleman, Joplin Elks Lodge member, killed in tornado, set for Monday

(The following obituary was taken from the Derfelt Funeral Home website.)

Clyde Coleman, age, 72, passed away on May 22nd, 2011 in the tornado that struck Joplin, MO.


He was born July 16, 1938 in Paxton, NE to Austin D and Wanda Coleman.

He graduated from Hayes County High in Hayes Center, NE in 1956 and married Carolene Yonker on Nov 4, 1956 in Dickens, NE. She survives at the home in Galena, KS.

He went to work for the Singer Sewing Machine Company in McCook, NE. He managed stores in several locations in Nebraska before being transferred to Wichita, KS. In 1975 he made his final move to this area. He owned and operated Coleman’s Upholstery Shop in Galena, retiring in 2005. He then worked for USD 499 as a bus monitor and most recently a crossing guard.

He was of the Catholic Faith. He was a member of the Joplin Elks Lodge #501 for 35 years. He served on the Galena KS City Council from 1997 – 1999. He had also served on the Planning and Zoning Committee. Among his interests were reading, gardening, storytelling, and community service.

He is also survived by two daughters, Melanie Tyler and Kelly (husband, Jack) Evans, Joplin, MO; 5 grandchildren, Heath Richmond Tyler (wife, January), Sarah Coleman Burkybile (husband, Travis), Megan Paris Tyler, Jared Kingston Worley (wife, Kim) of Gardner KS, Clinton Bradwell Worley (wife, Brittany) Joplin, MO; 6 great-grandchildren, Quinton Tyler, Madison Worley, Phil Dean Burkybile, of Joplin, MacKenly, Ellie and Molly Worley, of Gardner, KS; 4 Great Step Grandchildren, Alisa, Christian, and Jerrid Ireland, and Landon Tyler of Joplin, MO; one brother, Vance Coleman, State of Nebraska, one sister Phillis Phyllips and son, Dwight, State of Nebraska.

In addition to his parents he was preceded in death by one brother, Walter Coleman.

The body was taken for cremation under the care of Derfelt Funeral Home, Galena, KS.

Memorial services will be at 1:00 pm, Monday, May 30, 2011 at the Galena High School PAC Building. Pastor Jeff D. Martin will officiate. The Joplin Elks lodge will conduct a memorial service.

He will be missed by a multitude of friends and family. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to the Christmas Basket fund at the Joplin Elks Lodge.