Dennis Michael "Mike" Cole

1935 - 2025

In loving memory of Dennis Michael "Mike" Cole, wonderful husband, father, grandfather, and friend who went to be with the Lord on December 1, 2025. Mike was born February 22, 1935 in Berwick, PA to Ronald and Elizabeth Cole. His family later moved to Millville, PA where Mike graduated from High School in 1953. Mike and his family moved to St. Louis, MO in 1955. Two years later, he was drafted into the US Army where he served in the Signal Corp in Japan until 1959. In 1964, he earned his Master's degree in Forestry from the University of Missouri. Mike was then hired by the US Forest Service as a Forester and moved to the wilds of West Yellowstone where he planted half a million Lodgepole Pine trees. He married Mildred Whitman in 1966 and had two children, Rena and Aaron Cole. Mike and Mildred divorced in 1972. After his time in West Yellowstone, Mike was transferred to Bozeman to do research at the Forestry Sciences Lab at MSU where he became the leading expert in the study of Lodgepole Pine and Mountain Pine Beetle.

After giving his life to Christ, Mike later met and married the love of his life, Vonnie, on April 25, 1981 at which time he gained two step-daughters, Julie and Tricia Langaker. Mike continued in his career at the Forestry Sciences Lab and retired in 1995. He enjoyed gardening, camping, hunting, fly-tying, fishing, and the great outdoors. But, more than anything, he enjoyed spending time with his sweetheart. Together, they traveled to special places and visited many family and friends.

During retirement, Mike kept busy on the ranch, working on the water systems and helping improve the genetics program with Gelbvie cattle. Mike and Vonnie served their local church in various capacities and worked with the Chinese Fellowship for years. Mike had a fun wit, loved to whistle, and play the harmonica. He was a voracious reader of historical books, however, his favorite book was the Holy Bible. He had a close relationship with, and enjoyed spending time with his Mother and Father-In-Law, Pete and Catherine Dyk.

Mike is survived by his wife, Vonnie; his son, Aaron (Staci) and their children, Dutch, Josie and Elsie; daughter, Rena, and her children, Brandon and Whitney; and step-daughters, Julie and Tricia Langaker; and brother, David Cole; with various nieces, nephews, and grandchildren. Mike was preceded in death by parents, Ronald and Elizabeth Cole; brother Ronald "Larry"; sister, Judy Harrison; sister, Sally Gensberg; and his Mother and Father-In-Law, Peter and Catherine Dyk.

The Visitation will be held Mon, Dec 8, 11 to 12 P.M, at Dokken-Nelson followed by the Funeral Service at Noon. There will be a reception before the Graveside Service at 2:30 P.M. at Sunset Hills Cemetery. The service will be live-streamed at dokkennelson.com

Arrangements are in the care of Dokken-Nelson Funeral Service.