Vernice ‘Vernie’ Therasa Adeline Coolman
MARQUETTE — Vernice “Vernie” Therasa Adeline Coolman, 102, of Marquette, passed away peacefully with her children by her side on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, at Norlite Nursing Center. Born on Nov. 18, 1916, near Frontier, Mich., in Woodbridge Township, she was the fifth of eight children born to the late Irvin and Minnie (Apt) DuRoy, and was the last living child. Vernie graduated in 1936 from Rapid River High School. On Nov. 14, 1940, she married the late Walter “Wally” Coolman. Soon after they moved to Marquette where together they started their family. Wally and Vernie owned and operated the Shoe Bazaar in downtown Marquette from 1957 until their retirement in 1980.
Vernie, or as most knew her as “gram,” helped raise two of her grandchildren: Harley and Jodi Coolman during her retired years. She was an excellent cook and loved holding the family Christmas Eve gathering every year until she was unable. Some of her many enjoyments were knitting, hand quilting, gardening, bowling with her husband in earlier years and just keeping busy in general every day. Her greatest love was just being with her family and all her loved grandchildren. She will be remembered by all who knew her as a very loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend.
She is survived by her three children: Margaret “Peggy” Gagnon, R. Chuck (Jill) Coolman and W. Neal (Mary Beth) Coolman; a foster son, James (Mary) Helmer; 11 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, three great-great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Vernie was preceded in death by her parents, her husband in 1983, an infant son, Paul David Coolman; five brothers, Charles, Otto, Paul, Harold and Harland DuRoy and two sisters, Pauline Hamilton and Pearl Longberry.
Friends may call from 11 a.m. to noon on Monday, July 22, at Fassbender Swanson Hansen funeral home in Marquette.
A funeral service to celebrate Vernie Coolman’s life will be held at noon on Monday at the funeral home with Pastor Chad Mager officiating.
A luncheon will follow the celebration in the funeral home luncheon hall. She will be laid to rest next to her husband in the Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers and other expressions of sympathy, donations may be made to Norlite Nursing Center activity fund (701 Homestead St., Marquette, MI 49855).
The Allo Coolman Funeral Home of Escanaba and Fassbender Swanson Hansen Funeral Home of Marquette are together assisting the Coolman family.
Please visit the website www.allofh.com to send online condolences to her family.