Cleota A. Coman-Johnson, 90, of Bryan, OH, passed away Wednesday afternoon, March 26, 2014, at Genesis Healthcare in Bryan. She was born September 12, 1923, in Ransom Twp., Michigan, the daughter of the late Harold and Veryl (Mason) Watts. She married Richard F. Coman on July 26, 1942, in Ransom, and he preceded her in death in 1960. She later married Herbert Johnson in 1963, in Eldorado, IL, and he also preceded her in death in 1991.
Cleota attended grade school in Ransom and graduated from Waldron High School in 1941. Cleota and Richard lived their early married life in San Francisco, CA, while Richard served in the US Army. They later both worked for Victor Equipment Co., which transferred them to their Chicago office in 1955. Following Richard’s death, Cleota took a job with the Markham/Harvey Star Newspaper in Markham, IL, where she wrote all of the Markham local news in her column titled, “Around Markham”.
From her earliest days, music was one of her main interests in life. She sang with her younger brother Richard at various functions around Hillsdale County, MI, and later in life joined the Markham Village Players, a local theater group where she appeared in several musicals over the course of 20 years. One of her proudest achievements was singing for the servicemen at the Great Lakes Naval Station.
Following the death of her second husband, Cleota moved to Bryan, OH, where she enjoyed the city band concerts in the summer.
Cleota is survived by her special friend, Arleen (Paul) McCusty of Ney, OH.
In addition to her parents and husbands, she was preceded in death by her brother, Richard Watts.
Arrangements were entrusted to the Eagle Funeral Home-Barrett Chapel in Fayette.
Those planning an expression of sympathy may direct memorial donations in honor of Cleota to the Betzer Community Church.
Friends can share memories and condolences online at
www.eaglefuneralhomes.com.
