John C. Cole

John C. Cole, age 89, passed away peacefully Monday, December 8, 2008 at Marlette United Hospice Residence, following a brief illness. Jack was born September 30, 1919 in Caro, the son of Claude A. & Bess (Robinson) Cole, and was a proud, lifelong resident of Watrousville. He graduated from Vassar High School with the class of 1937 and joined the United States Navy shortly thereafter. Jack served with the Navy from 1939 to 1945 as a Fire Controlman 1st class. He served aboard the USS Oliver Hazzard Perry (DMS 17) and was wounded during the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. He took part in the Aleutian Islands campaign as well as the Battle of Saipan and Tinian in the Mariana Islands aboard the USS Hector (AR 7). Upon his return from naval service, Jack was united in marriage with Marie G. Hogan on March 2, 1946 in Reese, and the couple cherished more than fifty-seven years together before her death on September 12, 2004. Jack farmed his entire working life, retiring in 1980. In addition to farming, he was also a plumber and pipe fitter for more than thirty-five years, and a member of the United Plumbers and Pipe Fitters Local #85. Jack was also a member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Caro Knights of Columbus Council #3224, Pearl Harbor Survivors Association and the Naval Mine Warfare Association. Even after his retirement, Jack continued to be busy. He was a former Juniata Township Supervisor and a sexton of the Juniata Township Cemetery where he and Marie were responsible for adding electricity and plumbing, as well as marking the graves of all veterans. Jack loved history, and was a former president of the Watrousville Historical Society. He was also a passionate family man that loved taking trips across the country with his family. He enjoyed working on the farm and in the woods behind his home with his chainsaw and his three chocolate lab dogs. Jack is survived by three daughters, Katherine & Henry Brandt of Bay City, Carol Leslie of Frankenmuth, and Maureen Cole of Watrousville; nine grandchildren, Nicole Ocholik, Traci Beier, Jennifer Brandt, Rebecca Brandt, Sara Brandt, Michael Weiss, Peter Leslie, John Leslie, Charlie Mae Cole-McMullen; six great grandchildren; one sister, Maurine Gornick of Grosse Pointe Woods; sisters-in-law, Rosalie Hogan of Reese, Libby Cole of Georgia, and Mary Cole of North Carolina. In addition to his loving wife, Jack was preceded in death by one son, John Michael Cole in 1978; two brothers and one sister, Neil Cole, Clarence Cole and Geraldine Glaspie.