Donald Eugene Cole, 83, of Mount Vernon, Illinois, passed away at 9:12 am October 30, 2022, at Greentree in Mount Vernon.
He was born April 5, 1939, in Saint Louis, Missouri to the late William and Doris (Throgmorton) Cole. Donald married Linda J. (Hoffman) Cole in 1957. They were blessed with 65 years of marriage.
In addition to his beloved wife, Donald is survived by his children, Rick Cole, Mitch Cole and wife, Stacy (Deichman), Lisa Whisenhunt and husband, Brian, and Wm. Todd Cole and wife, Barbara (Humphrey); grandchildren who were raised in his home, Risa Ann Kunzmann and Erin Marie Cole; grandchildren, Valerie Wakefield and significant other, Rich Meyer, Sarah Gurba and husband, Joe, Catherine LePelley and husband, Chris, Grace Cole, Ethan Cole and wife, Carolyn, Faith Cole, and Michael Whisenhunt; step-grandchildren, Kaelin Pierce and husband, Adam, and Brennan Cox; sixteen great-grandchildren; three step-great-grandchildren; sisters, Joyce and Janette; sister-in-law, Pattie Raffa; and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.
In addition to his parents, Donald was preceded in death by his grandparents; granddaughter, Emma Cole; brothers-in-law, David Hoffman, Wendell Hayes, and Louie Raffa; mother-in-law, Edna Hoffman Conner; fathers-in-law, Theodore Hoffman, and Leo Conner; great-grandson, David LePelley; nephews, Bruce Henry and Doug Henry; niece, Stephanie Rivera; sister-in-law, Velma Hoffman; and many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Donald was a graduate of Bethel Grade School and Mount Vernon High School, class of 1957. He worked at General Radiator until it closed, then went to work at Rend Lake Mine in Sesser, Illinois. He retired in 2001. Donald was a member of Logan Street Baptist Church, but had attended the First Free Will Baptist Church for several years. He loved all sports and hunting. Donald was a member of the NRA. He was shooting with the Bench Rest Club at his friend Rick Taylor’s garage. He enjoyed working outside making habitats for the deer and turkey and he enjoyed going on bus trips with Shirley’s shuttle.
A Visitation will be held Wednesday, November 2, 2022, from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Hughey Funeral Home in Mount Vernon. A Graveside Service will follow at 1:30 pm at Panther Fork Cemetery in Texico, Illinois with Reverend David Shores officiating. Interment will follow. Memorials may be made in Donald’s honor to First Free Will Baptist Church and will be accepted at Hughey Funeral Home. Call Hughey Funeral Home at 618-242-3348 or visit hugheyfh.com for further information.
