Harold Coleman

Harold "Hodge" Coleman of Sudlersville, MD, died Saturday, Aug. 27, 2005, in the Chester River Hospital Center in Chestertown. He was 83. Mr. Coleman was born in Church Hill, son of the late Leroy Hodge and Rena Walls Coleman. He graduated from Church Hill High School in 1938, and attended Goldey Beacom College in Wilmington, DE. Mr. Coleman was the owner-operator of Coleman''s Restaurant in Sudlersville. After closing his restaurant, he became the chef at the Howard Johnson''s Restaurant near Millington. After leaving Howard Johnson''s with many years service, he became a machine operator for General Foods (now Kraft Foods) of Dover, where he retired in 1984 after 20 years'' service. Mr. Coleman also worked as a dietician for the Chester River Hospital Center (known until 2003 as Kent and Queen Anne''s Hospital) following his retirement. He loved working in his garden and sharing his produce with friends and family in and around town. His love and passion was his ability to cook, and he was considered by many one of the best around. He enjoyed preparing the meals for the local Ruritan Club, and cooking for the many church suppers held in Sudlersville. Mr. Coleman was a great humanitarian who dedicated his life to his church and his community. He was a 60-year member of Lions Club International, serving the majority of his membership with the Sudlersville club. For his dedication and hard work, he was given the Melvin Jones Fellowship, a distinction that is given to outstanding members for their work in the community and their humanitarian efforts. He also was a 50-year member of the Calvary-Asbury United Methodist Church in Sudlersville. He was a member of the United Methodist Men and served as the treasurer of the Sunday school for many years. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three sisters, Helen Everett, Betty Benton and Mildred Coleman; and his companion for 20 years, Clarabelle the cat. He is survived by his wife of 55 years, Pauline K. Coleman; two sons and a daughter-in-law, Harold G. and Eileen Coleman of Austin, TX, and David Coleman of Sudlersville; a daughter, and Bonnie Gallant of Leonardtown; three brothers, Marion Coleman of Chestertown, Ronald Coleman of Sebastian, FL, and Alan Coleman of Sudlersville; six grandchildren, David, Valerie, Douglas, Andrea, Michelle and Paula; and six great-grandchildren, Hailey, Brittany, Spencer, Logan, Jackson and Carley Anne. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Calvary-Asbury United Methodist Church in Sudlersville. Services will be 11 a.m. Thursday in the church. Burial will be in the Sudlersville Cemetery, Sudlersville. Instead of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to the Calvary-Asbury United Methodist Church Sunday School Fund, PO Box 202, Sudlersville, MD 21668.

Harold Coleman

August 27, 2005