Donald E. Cole

Donald Earle Cole, 84, stepped into Glory early Friday morning, June 27, 2025, to meet his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. He was the son of Earle and Jayne Cole of Cuyahoga Falls. The second eldest son of four boys, Don graduated from Falls High School in 1959, the recipient of the school’s “Manhood Award.”

From there Don enrolled in Wheaton College, with a major in Chemistry. After his freshman year, he and Bob Larsen (the brother of Pastor Knute Larsen) traveled by freighter, over the Atlantic, to tour Europe on motorbikes. Along the way they stayed in youth hostels and once stayed at the Château de Saint Albain, the historic Grace Brethren mission in France. After this exciting summer break, Don returned to Wheaton and his collegiate studies.

Don was an avid learner and student of the Bible. After completing his college degree, he enrolled in Trinity Evangelical Divinity School for seminary training. Upon completing his first year of seminary, Don took the opportunity to further his education at the American Institute of Holy Land Studies, at 55 Street of the Prophets. His curriculum included excursions into Galilee, Tiberias, Capernaum and Mt. Tabor. Don also found himself participating in an archeological dig at the Dead Sea.

After returning from the Holy Land, Don competed his first degree in Seminary – The Master of Divinity, and then began pursuing studies toward the Master of Theology degree.

However, another life goal Don had was to be a dentist. Dental school took four more years to complete. During this time, Don also met and married Nancy Garrett. They took up residence in the Chicago area.

Don’s dental career included a private dental practice in Chicago and a year at a dental clinic in Lausanne, Switzerland. But the majority of his work was performed as a contract dentist at Ft. Drumm (Watertown, NY) and also at the Naval base located at Newport News, Virginia.

During retirement, Don faced major health issues. The last seven years of his life were spent in a nursing home. During the last few years, his wife Nancy also needed nursing care and they spent those years rooming together at the nursing facility. In November, 2024, Nancy passed away.

Don will be remembered for his fun-loving personality, terrific sense of humor, his sharp mind and ready smile. Our family always enjoyed his visits which were filled with laughter and good times. He will be greatly missed, but we rejoice in knowing that he is with his savior.

Don was preceded in death by his parents, Earle and Jayne Cole, his wife of 57 years, Nancy, and his eldest brother, William. He is survived by brothers Robert (Caren) and Edward (Deena), and many nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be Monday July 7th from 12 noon- 1:00 PM at Newcomer Funeral Home and Funeral Services begin promptly at 1 PM with Pastor Doug Jensen officiating. Final resting place is Chestnut Hill Memorial Park.

Don chose the verses Proverbs 3:5&6 to be the lasting memorial left on his grave marker in the Chestnut Hill Memorial Park.

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5&6

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To watch a livestream of the funeral service, click here.