Earl Clifford Coleman, 88, died Thursday, April 1, 2010, at Ft Meade VA Hospital in Sturgis, SD.

Visitation will be Monday, April 5th from noon to 9:00 p.m. with the family present from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Kinkade Funeral Chapel.

The funeral service will be held at Piedmont Valley Lutheran Church Tuesday, April 6, 2010, at 10:30 a.m. with Pastor Carol Mapa officiating. Burial will follow at Black Hills National Cemetery with military honors provided by the Piedmont American Legion.

Earl was born February 13, 1922, to John and Ella (Glaze) Coleman at home in rural Birchwood, WI. Earl enlisted in the Navy in 1943, serving on the USS Cowpens. He was in the Battle of Midway Island and was honorably discharged in 1947.

He married Esther Andersen on July 27, 1947, in Minneapolis, MN. Five children were born to this union. Earl, Esther, and family moved to South Dakota in 1962. Earl enjoyed many hunting and fishing trips with family and friends, watching the grandkids, at sporting events, and spending time with family.

Earl is survived by his wife of 62 years, Esther; one son, Cliff (Nancy), Clarkfork, ID; daughters, Patti (Pat) Handley, Peoria, AZ, Diane (Roger) Keffeler, Enning, SD, and Annette Tveidt, Sturgis, SD; one sister, Ruby Peterson, Cameron WI; nine grandchildren, Theresa (Ron) Huntley, AZ, Gail (Mark) Jones, AZ, Jason Coleman, ID, James (Karen) Handley, TX, Scott (Lauren) Handley, AZ, Wade (Tia) Handley, AZ, Jessica (Hudson) Houge, ID, Kristal Keffeler, SD, and Michelle (Rich) Boyles, SD; nine great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one son, James; two brothers, Victor and Everett; two sisters, Genevieve and Hope; and one son-in-law, Roger Tveidt.

A memorial has been established.