Robert S. Cole's Obituary
Robert S. Cole, age 96 of Batesville and formerly of Chicago, died Friday, October 5, 2012 at St. Andrew’s Health Campus. Born October 8, 1915 in Doniphan, Nebraska, he is the son of Edna (Nee: Woodman) and Charles Cole. He married Irene Gies who preceded him in death in 1942 and later married Anna Mae Jaycox June 21, 1947 at St. Ambrose Church in Chicago. He served in the Navy during World War II as part of a team that trained Navy Bombardiers in the use of the Norden bombsite system. Following active duty he worked as a clerk for the Burlington Northern Railroad for 33 years before retiring 33 years ago. Bob was a dedicated family man who loved spending time with his grandchildren and great grandchildren. His family said he was a story teller often sharing stories and memories of farming, trains and his Navy days. He spent over 50 years living in same home in the North Center area. He dedicated many hours to driving neighbors to doctor or hospital appointments, shoveling their walks, mowing their lawns or whatever else he could do to help. His family joked he may have been the only Republican in the 47th ward. Of course, being a Northsider, he was a dedicated Cubs fan. He was a member of the John Ericsson American Legion Post #1042, the Burlington Northern Retiree Association, the City of Chicago Senior Volunteer Hall of Fame, as well as, a longtime volunteer for the Chicago Boys & Girls Club and a former member of the Chicago Board of Elections. Bob also had many interests. He liked working in his woodshop making Uncle Sam garden stakes and bird houses shaped like a train caboose. Trains weren’t just his job, but also a hobby. He kept a model train layout in the basement. During the holidays he set up lighted village in all the windows across the front of the house. A farm boy at heart, he raised a vegetable garden and canned what he grew in addition to making homemade tomato juice. At age 79 he and Anna Mae joined a mixed couples bowling league and continued to bowl for the next thirteen years. After his retirement they also enjoyed bus trips to many parts of the country on the Mayflower Bus Tours. His family indicated he had a weakness for coconut cream pie and milkshakes, which may help explain his five to ten mile daily walks. In recent years the walks became shorter and not always daily but he kept at it whenever he could. He is survived by his wife Anna Mae; daughter and son-in-law Mary Anne and Charles Martz of Batesville, Indiana; sons and daughters-in-law Robert E. and Deborah Cole of Skokie, Illinois, Kenneth Cole of Palatine, Illinois, William And Penny Cole of Cary, Illinois; brother Neal Cole of Lakewood, Colorado; sister-in-law Fran Cole of Rapid City, South Dakota; brothers-in-law Joe Jaycox of Chicago and William Jaycox of Pompano Beach, FL, eight grandchildren and ten great grandchildren. In addition to his wife Irene and his parents, he is also preceded in death by his infant son Robert; sisters Dorothy Olson, Lenora Cole, Gladys Cole, Pearl Cole, Emma Cole; brothers Charles, George, and Carl Cole; one grandson; one great grandson and numerous nieces and nephews.The family will receive friends from 10 – 11 a.m. Saturday, October 13th, at the Colonial – Wojciechowski Funeral Home at their Chicago location of 6250 N. Milwaukee Avenue, followed by services at 11 a.m. A private burial will be held at Mary Hill Cemetery in Niles, Illinois. The family requests no flowers. Memorials may be made to the Hansen Center Oncology Unit.
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