Ira Dewayne Cole, 82, of Centralia passed away Sunday, January 2, 2022. He was born on January 21, 1939, the son of Ira E. and Kathryn L. (Dugan) Cole in Centralia. He married the love of his life and best friend, Dora “Dodie” Wilkinson on December 24, 1959, at Central City Baptist Church and she survives him in Centralia.
Along with his beloved wife of 62 years, Dora “Dodie” Cole, Dewayne is survived by his children, Debbie Gibson of Centralia, Dan Cole and wife Diane of Centralia, Karen Cole of Ballwin, Missouri, and Lynda Hart and husband Brian of Milton, Georgia; precious grandchildren, Danielle Oellermann (Brad Ahlgren) of Carterville, Illinois, Tyson Cole of St. Louis, Missouri, and Austin Hart of Milton, Georgia; his cherished great-grandchildren, who were his pride and joy, Carder Scott Oellermann, James Daniel Oellermann, and Lukas Dewayne Oellermann; his brother, David Cole and wife Peggy of Pekin, Illinois, and sister Kay Payne of Centralia, Illinois; brother-in-law, Sam Wilkinson of Centralia; nieces and nephews, Peggy Amason, Mary Lustig and husband Rick, Richard Wilkinson, Tammy Kime and husband Rick, Tim Payne and wife Deneen, Mark Payne and wife Rebecca, Kevin Cole and wife Kristin, Kelly Bloom and husband Matt, Terry Cole, Tricia Shaw and husband Justin.
Dewayne was preceded in death by his parents, Ira and Kathryn Cole; step-father, Earl Jones; precious niece, Staci L. (Kime) Walta; and special family friend, Aaron Borchelt.
Dewayne served with pride and honor in the United States Army Reserves from 1959-1965. He was a faithful member of Calumet Street Christian Church, where he served as a high school youth group leader, a deacon, and an elder. He was devoted to his church and was a part of the building committee when Hickory Street Christian Church became Calumet Street Christian Church. He shared his gift of singing and loved to worship with song, while he was a member of the Southern Illinois Gospel Choir. Dewayne was amazing on the golf course and was the leader of the senior league at Greenview Golf Course where he was a dedicated member. He was a true sports enthusiast, and a die-hard fan for his Centralia Orphans, holding season tickets and never missing a game. Dewayne also gave attention to his favorites, the St. Louis Cardinals, and the Fighting Illini. He shared his love of the games by being an Illinois State Official for grade school, high school, and college, baseball, basketball, and football. He enjoyed watching the kids gain confidence as a coach for Centralia’s Little League Baseball. Dewayne was an inspiring man of faith, he was always ready to help and take action for those in need, and his life was an inspiration to many.
A celebration of life service will be held at 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022, at the Calumet Street Christian Church in Centralia with John Willis officiating. Interment will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park in rural Sandoval. Friends are welcome to a visitation time from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. Wednesday, January 5, 2022, at the Irvin Macz Funeral Home in Centralia and also 12:00 p.m. until 1:00 p.m. Thursday, January 6, 2022, at the church. Dewayne was a member of the Strike Out Cancer Golf Classic Committee that is held annually to fund the Jason Motte Foundation Skin Cancer Program through SSM Foundation and in lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Jason Motte Foundation to continue their work to strike out skin cancer. Online condolences and memories of Dewayne may be shared with the family by visiting www.maczfuneralhomes.com and/or on the funeral home’s Facebook page.
