Lee E. Coltson

Lee Edward Coltson, 80, of Bellevue passed away May 8, 2019 surrounded by his family. Lee was born September 28, 1938 to Leonard and Verle (Vrooman) Coltson of Olivet. Lee graduated from Bellevue High School in 1956. He began working at Coltson’s Clothing and Shoes and then in the office of Cheney Limestone (both in Bellevue) before starting a 17 ½-year career as a policeman/detective with the City of Battle Creek. He then took a Friend of the Court position with the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department. Lee left the Sheriff’s Department in 1991 to start his own private detective business, which he ran until his retirement in 2016 at the age of 77.

During his life Lee was a Cub Scout Master, active in the Bellevue Athletic Boosters, President of the Bellevue Whirl-a-ways square dance club, and served on the Bellevue School Board when the new high school on Love Road was built. In addition, he was a three time past president of the Bellevue Lion’s Club, served as president of the Bellevue Alumni Association, and was elected President of the Village of Bellevue. In 2013, Lee was placed in the Bellevue High School Hall of Fame for his activities in the community during his life. 

Lee is survived by, in his words, “his very lovely wife,” Sharon (Tew) Coltson of 59 years; their three sons, Thomas (Vicky) and Timothy (Kris) of Bellevue and Patrick (Dawn) of Hastings; grandchildren, Jennifer, Jacob, Joe, Janice, Clay, and Garrett Coltson, Stasia Swiger and Betsey Smith; great-grandchildren, Skylar, Railys, and Kairi Mulkey, Hayes Coltson, Paige Smith, Evan Willis, Zachary, Matthew and Abigail Beard.

Lee was preceded in death by his parents and sister Caroline Howard.

Services will be held on May 22, 2019 at United Methodist Church in Bellevue. Family will be available for visitation starting at 10 a.m. Memorial services will begin at 11 a.m., followed by a luncheon.

Memorials may be made to the Bellevue United Methodist Church or Bellevue Lions Club.

Family and friends that wish to leave condolences, may do so by visiting lighthousefuneral.com.