WELLSVILLE - John Frederic Cole, 86, of Manor Hills, passed
away on Monday, May 4, 2020, shortly after arrival at Jones Memorial Hospital.
He was born August 6, 1933 in Pittsburgh, PA the son of the late Lester Carl
and Edith (Zeitler) Cole. On December 6, 1958 in Wellsville, he married the
former Nitia McCracken who survives.
John was a 1951 graduate Wellsville High School and
graduated from Alfred State College in 1955. He was a member of the US Army
Reserves from 1953 through 1988, retiring at the rank of Sgt. Major. He enjoyed
summers during his high school years working with friends on the Erie Railroad,
and summers during his college years working at the Sinclair Refinery. He was
employed by Meadowbrook Nursery, Air Preheater Company for 42 years, retiring
in 1998.
He was a member of the Wellsville First United Methodist
Church, a 60-year member and past president of the Wellsville Lions Club, a
member of the Wellsville Rod & Gun Club, the Wellsville Elks Lodge No.
1495, the Morrison Hayes Post 702 American Legion, and served on the Willing
Town Board for many years. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, traveling, and loved
spending time with friends, family and grandchildren.
Surviving in addition to his wife Nitia is a daughter, Julie
Ann Cole of Westminster, CO; two sons: J. Jeffrey (Leanne) Cole of Townsend, TN; and Jeremy J. (Mary Kate) Cole
of Wellsville, five grandchildren, Holly Maxwell, Liz, Molly, and Sarah Cole,
and Jack Cole, a brother and sister-in-law, Jim and Nancy Stevens, and several
beloved nieces and nephews including, Frank and Richard Ferry, James and Janice
Stevens, and Amy Gowdy. In addition to his parents he was predeceased by a
sister, Suzanne Ferry and a grandson Jay Thomas Maxwell, two nephews, Bill
Ferry and Jay Stevens, and a brother-in-law, Francis McCracken.
A private graveside service with military honors will be in
Woodlawn Cemetery. A memorial service will be planned for a later date. Please
consider memorial donations to the Wellsville Lions Club, the David A. Howe
Public Library, or the Wellsville First United Methodist Church. To leave
online condolences, please visit www.embserfuneralhome.com.
