Full Obituary

DONALD O. COLE, age 89, of Marshfield, formerly of Loyal, passed away at Ministry St. Joseph's Hospital, in Marshfield, on Wednesday, January 7, 2015. Funeral services will be held at 11am on Monday, January 12, 2015 at St. Anthony Catholic Church, in Loyal, with Rev. Steve Brice officiating. Pallbearers will be 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 will be conducted by the Loyal American Legion Post #175. Visitation will be held at St. Anthony Catholic Church on Sunday, January 11, 2015 from 4pm to 8pm, with a 7:45pm Knights of Columbus rosary service, and again on Monday, from 10am until time of service.
Donald Orin Cole was born on March 7, 1925 in the Town of Fremont, rural Chili, WI, the son of Harry and Ernestine (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 was united in marriage to Jeanette Catherine Beaver on February 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 5 years patroling 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, horseshoe, shooting pool and playing cards.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, Jeanette, of Marshfield; six children: William (Beth) Cole of Orange Park, FL, Nancy (Larry) Krause of Summit Lake, WI, Debra (Steven) Armstrong of Chippewa Falls, WI, David (Kristi) Cole of Marshfield, WI, Barbara (Michael) Bero of Green Bay, WI, Sandra (David) Tarter of Menomonie, WI; sixteen 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 of Sturgeon Bay, WI; 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.