Nancy Coleman

Nancy Coleman, age 77, died peacefully in her sleep on Friday November 6, 2020 at Atrium Health Carolina Medical Center in Charlotte, North Carolina after a lengthy battle against dementia. Nancy was born March 30, 1943 a daughter to the late Russell and Jeanette Coffin from Spiceland, Indiana.

She graduated from Spiceland High School in 1961 and then earned her Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in education from Ball State University. Nancy was successful with multiple careers. Her teaching career started as a Business Education Teacher at Blue River Valley High School near Mount Summit. She then worked as Personnel Manager for the Indiana Department of Highways, and Administrative Deputy Auditor to former Marion County Auditor Harry Eakin before transitioning into politics as Finance Director at the Indiana Republican State Committee. Nancy enjoyed the good side of politics and excelled with fund raising, public speaking, political events and was invited to attend several Inaugural Balls for the Reagan and Bush Presidencies. She continued her role in the Indianapolis political scene by becoming Executive Assistant to then Mayor of Indianapolis, William Hudnut.

After her political career, she used her passion for teaching to become the Executive Director of Insurance Education Foundation and continuing her work with the education system. Nancy ended her career as Executive Director of Alpha Sigma Alpha while overcoming the loss of her husband and metastatic breast cancer.

Throughout her careers, she maintained her roots with her hometown of Spiceland by serving on the Spiceland Alumni & Former Students Association Board for over 40 years.

Nancy excelled as a young pianist and was an avid enthusiast of music and fine arts as a member of The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana and attending Broadway theater productions in New York City.

She was a voracious reader and participated in multiple circles of book clubs over the many years. She also enjoyed gardening and landscaping, traveling and outings with close friends, and loved to be near family for holidays and beach vacations.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her husband, Basil Coleman (married 1973); sister, Rosalyn Jane (Rosie) Hinds, brother, Byron Coffin, and grandson, Ben Coleman.

Survivors include three sons, Rich Gardner (wife, Leigh) of Charlotte, North Carolina, Dan Coleman of Dickson, Tennessee and Steve Coleman (wife, Judi) of Alexandria, Tennessee; three grandchildren, Erica Coleman, Victoria Kepley, and Morgan Gardner. She also has four great grandchildren, Arthur and Eva (mother, Erica), Brody (mother, Victoria) and Luke (father, Ben); many nieces and nephews; cousin, Jim Coffin of Dallas, Texas; and extended Coleman family.

Visitation will be from 5:00 - 8:00 p.m. Friday, November 13 at Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, November 14, also at Hinsey-Brown. Burial will follow at Circle Grove Cemetery in Spiceland, Indiana. Arrangements have been entrusted to Hinsey-Brown Funeral Service in New Castle. You may express condolences or share a memory of Nancy at www.hinsey-brown.com .

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Nancy Coleman to the Alzheimer's Association, Donate Here to help fight this terrible disease and to have a brighter tomorrow for our loved ones.