Robert P. Cole, 78, Bennington, Kansas, died Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at the Village Manor, Abilene, Kansas. He was born July 10, 1931 in Middlebury, Vermont to Frank and Pauline (Preston) Cole.
Robert was preceded in death by his sisters, Virginia Edson and Jean Ann Carter; grandson, Michael Cole; and great-grandson, Ethin Cole.
Survivors include his children, Paul and Candy Cole of Bennington, Bill and Bea Cole of Maryville, TN, Keith and Pam Cole of Minneapolis, Frank and Sandra Cole of Bennington, James and Julie Cole of Clay Center, and Marilyn and Cory Connelly of Tescott; brother, Bill Cole; sisters, Barbara Smith and Patricia Conner; nine grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
Funeral services will be at 10 A.M., Saturday at the Bennington Bible Church with the Rev. James Byers officiating. Burial with military honors will be in the Bennington Cemetery. Visitation will be from 2 P.M. to 8 P.M. Friday at Wilson Shields Funeral Home, Minneapolis where the family will receive friends from 5 P.M. to 7 P.M. Memorials may be made to the Village Manor or the Bennington Playground fund and may be left in care of the funeral home.