Obit: Cole, Donald O. (1925 – 2015)

Contact: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Cole, Beilke, Beaver, Krause, Armstrong, Bero, Tarter, Napolitano, Brown, Schwarze, Meissner

----Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, Wis.) 14 Jan 2015

Cole, Donald O. (7 MAR 1925 – 7 JAN 2015)

Donald O. Cole, 89, Marshfield, formerly of Loyal, passed away on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2015, at Ministry Saint Joseph's Hospital in Marshfield. Funeral services were held at 11 a.m., on Monday, Jan. 12, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. Rev. Steve Brice officiated. Pallbearers were his grandsons: Steven Schwarze, Jeffrey Schwarze, Richard Schwarze, Scott Krause, Nicholas Armstrong, Robert Cole, Gregory Cole, Kyle Bero and Colton Tarter. Burial will take place in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery at a later date. Military rites were conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post #175.

Donald Orin Cole was born on March 7, 1925, in the town of Fremont, rural Chili, the son of Harry and Ernestine (nee Beilke) Cole. He was raised on the family farm and received his education in rural schools, and graduated from Loyal High School in 1943. Following graduation from high school, Donald joined the U.S. Air Force, and after months of training, he was stationed in the South Pacific as an assistant flight engineer on a B-29 bomber, which was part of the 509th atom bomb group and the 393rd squadron. He married Jeanette Catherine Beaver on Feb. 18,1946, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Loyal. Donald returned from the war and worked for Roddis Plywood in Marshfield, the Loyal Canning Company, and was a parts man for Braun Auto in Loyal. In 1950, he and his wife, Jeanette, purchased a dairy farm south of Loyal, where they worked and raised their family for 28 years. In 1976, they purchased the former Citizens State Bank building and the inventory of Helen's Style Shop, and started their own business, Jeanette's Fashions. In 1978, they sold their farm to their son and daughter-in-law, David and Kristi. Donald then worked five years patrolling for the Loyal Township, and also drove school bus part time. In 2006, they moved to Marshfield. He was a member of St. Anthony Catholic Church; a member of the Loyal American Legion Post #175, where he was a past commander and adjutant; a member of the 40 et 8 Voiture locale #821; and an honorary life member of the Knights of Columbus Our Lady of Fatima Council#4963.Donald had many interests, but especially loved fishing, hunting, golfing, horseshoes, shooting pool and playing cards.

He will be sadly missed by his wife, Jeanette, Marshfield; six children, William (Beth) Cole, Orange Park, Fla., Nancy (Larry) Krause, Summit Lake, Debra (Steven) Armstrong, Chippewa Falls, David (Kristi) Cole, Marshfield, Barbara (Michael) Bero, Green Bay, and Sandra (David) Tarter, Menomonie; 16 grandchildren, Heidi Napolitano, Laura Brown, Sarah Cole, Steven Schwarze, Jeffrey Schwarze, Richard Schwarze, Scott Krause, Nicholas Armstrong, Kelly Armstrong, Alicia Cole, Robert Cole, Gregory Cole, Kyle Bero, Cassilyn Bero, Alexis Tarter and Colton Tarter; fifteen great-grandchildren; one sister, Marian Meissner, Sturgeon Bay; and nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Karen Schwarze in 1997; and one brother, Glenn H. Cole.

Online condolences may be expressed at www.cuddiefh.com. 

Cuddie Funeral Home, Loyal, assisted the family with arrangements.