Richard Fay “Dick” Cole (January 24, 1923 – February 18, 1997)
 Dick Cole |
 John Hardy, Red Bechtel, Dick Cole, and Donald Robb |
 Dick Cole with Medals and Ribbons |
Dick Cole was awarded the following for his service in the United States Navy during World War II: American Campaign Medal and Ribbon, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal and Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, the Navy Good Conduct Medal and Ribbon, the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal and Ribbon, the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, the Philippine Liberation Medal with 2 Bronze Stars, and the World War II Victory Medal.
Many thanks to Jeff Cole for providing the above photo of his father with his medals and ribbons.
Dick Cole’s obituary appeared in the February 19, 1997 edition of The Beacon News (IL):
Richard F. Cole, 74, of Sandwich, formerly of Plano, passed away on Tuesday, February 18, 1997 at his home.
He was born on January 24, 1923 in Aurora, the son of Gerald and Gladys (Eldridge) Cole.
Richard graduated from Plano High School and attended the First Baptist Church in Plano for many years.
Richard served his country as a gunners mate with the U.S. Navy in the Pacific and Atlantic theaters.
He married Frances Pagliarini on July 13, 1946 in Hibbing, Minnesota.
He worked for several years at Sandwich Redi Mix and later worked as a heavy equipment operator out of Local #150 of the Midwest Operating Engineers.
Richard enjoyed his time with the Boy Scouts of American Troop #71 in Plano, and was proud to have served on the Kadeka Council as a committee chairman.
He was also proud of his participation in the organization and establishment of the Boy Scout Camp on the Fox River south of Plano.
Survivors include his wife, Frances; two sons, Richard (Lynn) Cole of Sisters, Oregon and Jeffrey S. (Barbara) Cole of Big Rock; two daughters, Linda (Stanley) Benson of Leland, Illinois and Tracey (Chris) Sloan of Valparaiso, Indiana; one sister, Shirley (Jack) Crabtree of Spencer, Iowa and a brother, Robert (Mary) Cole of Deer Park, Texas; nine grandchildren, Jennifer, Kim and Craig Benson of Leland, Kim, Loren and Kelly of Sisters, Oregon, Olivia and Madison Sloan of Valparaiso, Indiana and Alex Cole of Big Rock.
He was preceded in death by his parents.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, February 21, 1997 at the Turner Funeral Home in Somonauk with the Reverend Vernon Tweet officiating.
Burial will be in Little Rock Township Cemetery in Plano.
Visitation will be on Thursday, February 20, 1997 at the funeral home from 4 to 7 p.m.
Memorials in Richard’s name may be directed to the VNA Hospice Program of the Visiting Nurse Association of Fox Valley, Boy Scouts of America Troop #71 of Plano or the American Cancer Society.
Dick Cole Grave Marker
Many thanks to Anne Sears for submitting the above photo to Find A Grave.