Francis E. (Gene) Cole's Obituary
Francis E. (Gene) Cole, a former resident of Charleston and long-time resident of Crowley, Texas, passed away on Saturday, August 24, 2024. He was the son of Don Cole, a former auto dealer in Charleston, and Hattie H. Cole, both of whom preceded him in death.
Mr. Cole was born in Etna, near Mattoon, on November 1, 1935. He graduated from Eastern Illinois University in 1957 and earned his Master's in Education from the same institution in 1964. He worked as an educator in Alaska, St. Louis, Missouri, and Illinois before joining Longyear Drilling Company in Spokane, Washington, where he worked in mineral exploration. He later worked for Conoco Oil Company in Fort Worth, Texas, until his retirement in 1995.
He married Pem B. Martin in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1960. She preceded him in death in 2007. Mr. Cole is survived by his son, Stanton Donovan Cole, and his grandson, Justin Cole. His grandson, Taylor Cole, preceded him in death in 2022.
An inurnment service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, October 19, 2024, at Arcola Township Cemetery in Arcola, Illinois. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice. Adams Funeral Chapel is assisting with arrangements.
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