Helen Caroline Coleman (née Kapalin), aged 91, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2024, at her residence in Medina, Ohio.  Helen was born on June 17, 1933, to Anton and Stephie Kapalin, in Cleveland, Ohio. Helen is survived by her brother, Tony Kapalin (Elaine); her children, Gary Coleman (Susan), Diane Payne (Dean), Gale Lemasters (Hank), and Pat Coleman. Helen had ten grandchildren, twelve great grandchildren, and four great great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, George P. Coleman, of Cleveland, Ohio; her sister, Stephie Lawson (Doug) of Centerville, Tennessee; and her parents.

Helen graduated from South High School, Cleveland, Ohio, in June 1951. She was a good student, as well as being active in clubs and sports. Following graduation, she married her neighborhood sweetheart, George P. Coleman, who was serving in the United States Marine Corps. They were married for over twenty years before George's untimely death in 1973. Helen never remarried.

Her favorite job was working as a volunteer in an elementary school library, which was not surprising given her lifetime love of books and reading. Helen worked for many years at Hedalloy Die Corporation, a neighborhood business near her parents' house, as an administrator and office manager. She was known for her reliability and dedication. One could ask, "Do you want to speak to the man in charge or to the woman who knows what's going on?" After her retirement, she moved from Cleveland to Brunswick, Ohio, and, eventually, to Medina, Ohio, in order to remain close to family.

Helen was an active member of the Western Bohemian Fraternal Association, serving for awhile as Treasurer.  One of the highlights of her service included a trip to the Association's national convention, which allowed her to visit Mount Rushmore. She enjoyed traveling throughout the United States and made two trips to Germany.

Helen was a lifelong Cleveland Indians fan. She had great memories of Cleveland's victory in the 1948 World Series. Her favorite player was Lou Boudreau, although in the 1960s Rocky Colavito came in a close second. She rarely missed a game, either on the radio, the television, or in person.

She had an excellent sense of humor and a keen eye for anything short of honesty. Helen was deathly afraid of bad weather, but loved riding rollercoasters. She loved polkas and she was an enthusiastic country music fan—her favorites were Charlie Rich, Willie Nelson, and Carrie Underwood, whose concert she attended with her granddaughters.  Coffee was a lifelong friend. Her sweet tooth was legendary. She loved crossword puzzles, word games, and she was impossible to beat in Scrabble.

Above all, Helen loved her family, and she had a soft spot in her heart for the little ones, who always took to her at first sight. Mom, Grandma, Baba…our family was blessed to have her for so long. She touched many, many lives in an unforgettable way and she will be greatly missed. We mourn her passing and we honor her memory.

Visitation will be Thursday, August 22, 2024, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Waite & Son Funeral Home, 3300 Center Rd., Brunswick, OH 44212. Funeral service will be Friday, August 23, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home. She will be laid to rest at Holy Cross Cemetery in Brook Park, Ohio.