Donald C. “Don” Cole, age 79, of 9200Wahl R.55 Avenue Gladstone, passed away early  Thursday morning, August 13, 2009, at St. Francis Hospital in Escanaba with his loving family at his side.

Don was born January 8th, 1930 in Gladstone, the son of Clyde F. and Alma (Rice) Cole and was raised in Gladstone.

In August of 1949, Don entered military service with the United States Army where he served with distinction for many years. While in the military, he married the former Lottie M. DeMenter and together with their family lived in numerous locations in the United States and abroad, including West Berlin, Germany during some of the tenuous times of the “Cold War”. During his military career, he was deployed in Japan, in Alaska near the Soviet border, and in Korea during the Korean Conflict. When Don was sent to Vietnam in 1968, he was engaged in a number of combat zones and subsequently received the Bronze Star for sustained ground contact with the enemy and meritorious service in connection with military operations against hostile forces in Pleiku, Vietnam. In addition, he received other awards and citations, including the Combat Infantry Badge and the Presidential Unit Citation. After his retirement from active duty as a Sergeant First Class in 1972, Don and his family returned to Delta County settling in the Gladstone area and he continued working at various pursuits but he mainly was employed for 25 years at Alger-Delta Electric Association in equipment maintenance.

Don’s family remembers him as an independent and hard-working individual that he held as an example for his children to live by. Also, he enjoyed keeping busy at all times, which included being an avid baseball enthusiast, but sailing was a lifelong passion of his. Additionally, his dog, “Butch” was considered as a special pal and Buddy. However in latter times, spending time with his grandchildren and great-grandchildren was a special source of joy and pride for Don. His family’s affection for him incorporated a profound source of respect and admiration for him as a husband, father, and grandfather that will not be forgotten.

In addition to his wife, Lottie, of nearly 56 years, Don Cole’s survivors include:

5 Children- Donna (Wally) Barron of West Gladstone; Steven C. Cole of Gladstone; Mark (Michelle Mayville) Cole of Gladstone; Joseph (Carmella) Cole of Masonville; Don M. Cole of Gladstone

8 Grandchildren- Molly (Rob) Rebholz, Benjamin Barron, Angela (Steve) Belongie,
                             Joshua Cole, Jacob Cole, Clay Cole,
                             Kaylee Cole, and Jaycie Cole

2 Great-grandchildren, Riley and Vincent Rebholz

and by nieces and nephews.

Don was preceded in death by his parents and by a sister, Doris Schroeder.

The family of Donald C. Cole will receive friends on Monday at the Skradski Funeral Home in Gladstone from 4:00 p.m. to 5:45 p.m. with Military Rites being conducted at 5:45 p.m. by the Gladstone American Legion Walter W. Cole Post #71. Services celebrating Don’s life will follow at 6:00 p.m. Monday at the Skradski Funeral Home with Rev. Fr. Arnold Grambow officiating. After services, luncheon will be held in the All Saints Parish Hall. Entombment will be Tuesday at the Gardens of Rest Cemetery; Wells.