Charles E. Cole

Charles “Charlie” E. Cole, 94, of Springfield, formerly of Sun City Center, Florida, went to be with the Lord on Saturday, July 15, 2017.

Charlie was born November 18, 1922 in Anniston, Alabama, the son of Robert Rush Cole and Hazel Booth Cole. He married the love of his life, Katherine Deane Moore on February 17, 1951. She preceded him in death on October 24, 2007. He was also preceded in death by his brothers John B. Cole and Edwin B Cole and his sister Ann Bell.

Charlie is dearly loved and survived by his three daughters, Jan Sappington of Overland Park, KS, Sue (Warren) Allfrey of Madison, WI, and Martha (Dave) Whitlock of Springfield; five grandchildren, Brandon (Sarah) Diaz of Weston, FL, Lindy Diaz of Lee’s Summit, MO, Marli Diaz (Scott) Penderis of Los Angeles, CA, Aaron (Julie) Whitlock of Chatham, IL and Emily Whitlock (fiance Mike DeMay) of St. Louis, MO, seven great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Charlie was a gracious, kind, loyal, generous, caring man. He was dedicated to his family and was a man of excellence in all he did. He will be greatly missed by all of his family and friends. He graduated from Anniston High School in 1940, and from Purdue University in 1943 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity. He served as a Captain in the US Army from March 1943 to August 1946, based in Metz, France during WWII.

Charlie spent most of his career working for Monsanto Company. He was a Registered Professional Engineer, a member of ASME, and was a former member of the Jaycees and Kiwanis. He retired from Monsanto, in St. Louis, in 1981. During his retirement he and Katie lived in Fairfield Bay, AR, Sun City Center, FL and Springfield, IL.

Charlie loved being with his family and he particularly enjoyed golf, his daily crossword puzzles and music, especially classic country in recent years.

Memorial Gathering: 9:30 am – 10:30 am, Friday, August 4, 2017 at Knox Knolls Free Methodist Church.

Celebration of Life: 10:30 am, Friday, August 4, 2017 at Knox Knolls Free Methodist Church with Pastor Tyler Boyer officiating. Burial will follow at Camp Butler National Cemetery where military honors will be conducted.